Brunei Darussalam has a rich diversity of wildlife within its rain forests and along its ocean coasts. Birds, monkeys, rare creatures, mammals that swim and fly – Brunei has it all for a wildlife watcher with a taste for adventure.
Brunei Darussalam Animal Summary
Brunei Darussalam is home to all types of animals – birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects. Some live there year-round, and others use Brunei’s rain forests as a stop to their seasonal migrations.
Brunei shares much of its unique wildlife with nearby Borneo and other islands of Southeast Asia. It is home to many endangered species as well as a few dangerous ones.
When someone calls Brunei’s wildlife unique, they’re not exaggerating. Read on to discover lizards that glide on “wings,” monkeys with comical noses, and more.
The Official National Animal of Brunei Darussalam
The white-bellied sea eagle or fishing eagle is the national animal of Brunei. As its name suggests, it is an adept hunter of fish.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Brunei Darussalam
There are two places to find Brunei’s top animals: snorkeling the coastal waters or trekking the rain forests.
- The one-stop region for discovering many of Brunei’s famous and unique animals is the Ulu Temburong National Park. There, you may see hornbills, proboscis monkeys, and horned frogs.
- The Labi Forest Reserve is the largest stretch of preserved rainforest in the country. Other key locations include the Paradayan Recreational Forest and parts of Kuala Balai. In these areas, you may catch a glimpse of the rhinoceros hornbill.
- Snorkeling or scuba diving the oceanic reefs will reveal colorful fish, sharks, and the slow-moving, peaceful dugongs, one of the most unique mammals in the world. These sea cows spend their entire lives in the water, grazing on seaweed and algae with the help of prehensile lips.
Endangered Wildlife in Brunei Darussalam
Habitat destruction has threatened many species of the island of Borneo with becoming extinct. The intact forests of Brunei serve as a refuge for these endangered species.
- The proboscis monkeys may be the most endangered animals in Brunei. They are named for their large, comical noses. The proboscis monkey is sought after by sightseers due to its strange appearance.
- Brunei considers another strange animal – the pangolin or scaly anteater – to be a “threatened treasure.” These anteaters have long tongues, sharp claws, and large, fleshy scales all over their body. The scales resemble a suit of armor. Public campaigns currently call to protect pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade and the tropical forests they call home from destruction.
- The Sunda clouded leopard is one of the most elusive Brunei species. It was not recognized as a distinct species until 2006. It has been infrequently spotted near Sungai Ingei Forest and the Belait district.
- Other species endangered of becoming extinct include the black hornbill bird, the painted batagur turtle, a fish similar to the familiar betta called Betta macrostoma, a primate called the Borean slow loris, the highfin coral grouper, coral trout, spiny terrapin, the dugong, and seep frog.
- Brunei was the first nation in Asia to place a complete ban on the practice of shark finning. What is shark finning? The fins of sharks are prized for food and medicine. Fishermen catch sharks, remove their fins, and dispose of the rest of the animal. Brunei’s stand against shark finning helps protect the 110 species of sharks known to reside in the South China Sea from becoming endangered or extinct.
Most Dangerous Animals in Brunei Darussalam Today
The saltwater crocodile is the most dangerous animal in Brunei today. They are the largest crocodilians in the world, reaching up to 7 meters in length. “Salties” are rare in the area, but be careful. They are known for exploding out of the water to take prey – occasionally humans – from the banks of rivers.
Flag of Brunei Darussalam
The national flag of Brunei features a bright yellow background, which represents royalty in many southeast Asian countries. Across the flag lie two diagonal stripes, one black, one white. The white stripe stands for the First Chief Minister, while the black stripe beneath represents the Second Chief Minister.