Lessons from life in the jungle

AS a wildlife biologist working in the primary forest of Tawau Hills Park, I’ve been privileged to call the forest my home. For the past year, I’ve worked as research manager for a project studying some of the most elusive carnivores in the jungles of Borneo. The project is led by pioneering researchers who are assisted by passionate Sabahan men and women who have lived alongside the forest all their lives.

What I am doing now consistently forces me out of my comfort zone and compels me to adapt to the challenging environment I live in. The experience has invariably offered me fresh understanding of our nation and its identity. Yes, walking through the jungle daily has taught me more about the strength of our nation than any textbook ever could.