Harvesters use ropes, rattan ladders and bamboo poles to reach the roof of the cave.
Once inside the Simud Hitam, it is impossible to miss the strong smell of ammonia. This is due to the cave’s ecosystem which consists of birds and bats whose droppings litter the floor.Visitors are advised to wear suitable shoes, a raincoat and a hat as sometimes bird droppings land on unexpected and unwanted places. A breathing mask would help, too.
The Gomantong Caves are situated in the district of Kinabatangan in Sandakan, within the 3,297-hectare Gomantong Forest Reserve Class IV.It is only a five-minute walk from the cave registration centre on a well-maintained boardwalk across a forest reserve which is home to wildlife such as the red leaf monkey and orangutans.
According to Abduh, at least three companies have won the tender to harvest birds’ nests from the caves. “The cave is under the government’s care. The traditional way of harvesting did not give good returns, hence the tender system,” said Abduh.The harvesting of birds’ nests in Gomantong takes place twice a year from February to April and July to September.
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