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Pulau Mantanani
Pulau Mantanani is a
group of three isolated islands northwest of Kota Belud, 80 km
north of Kota Kinabalu. It was so isolated in fact that not
until recently, only a few locals knew the existence of the
islands. But most popular attraction of Pulau Mantanani are the
dugongs (sea cows). Here you can swim with them. The
island is virtually unknown to most people, although the
indigenous Ubian fishing tribe here have for years sighted
dugongs. The sheltered bays around the
Mantanani Islands seem to provide the ideal habitats for
dugongs. Sea grass beds are found on shallow sandy areas within
the encircling fringing reef of the islands. A small human
population has caused minimum pollution and there is little
noisy boat traffic.
Near
Mantanani Islands many local fishermen have seen dugongs for as
long as they can remember, although the sightings are less
frequent in recent times. Fortunately, the local people are not
used eating dugongs. The dugong (Dugong dugon) is
endangered by hunting (men and sharks) and by destruction of its
natural habitat.
In
many regions worldwide dugongs are facing the threat of
extinction, and it is likely that this is also the case in
Sabah. In the World Conservation Union Red Data book dugongs are listed
as "vulnerable to extinction" and the international trade in
dugong artefacts has been prohibited in the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species.
The most famous dugong is Nicky, a young male dugong who
frequents the warm tropical waters around the Mantanani Islands.
Nicky gets his name from the small cut or "nick" in his left
tail fluke, and this is the way you can recognize him. He is a
juvenile male of about 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length - he still
has much growing to reach maturity (mature dugongs are up to 3
meters or 10 feet long).
Usually you can see Nicky alone, although there are other
dugongs in the vicinity. Sometimes you can see a mother and her
calf
Dugongs are often called sea cows due to
their large size and herbivorous nature. While they may consume
over 15 different species of sea grasses, their preferred
varieties (which are found in abundance on Mantanani) are
species of the genera Halodule and Halophila. Dugongs consume
vast quantities of sea grass: a fully-grown dugong will eat up
to 35 kg per day, a tenth of its body weight. As they pluck up
the sea grass, the dugongs leave tell-tale meandering paths of
white sand in their wake -- a feeding trail.
Dugongs do not consume the blades of the grass alone, but pluck
up the nutritious rhizomes, or roots, growing under the sand.
Since they require such large quantities of sea grass each day,
they may have to move between feeding sites allowing grazed
areas to regenerate. Despite their large dimensions of over 3m
in length and 350 kg, dugongs can reach top speeds of 25 kmh.
The average cruising speed of 10 kmh can be sustained for long
periods and the dugong may travel for hundreds of km in just a
few days. The pectoral flippers are used for steering and
braking, and also for sculling to keep the head above water when
it breathes in choppy seas.
M antanani
Island Resort is located at the western end of the largest
island and lies on the edge of an enchanting white sandy bay.
Nestled among the tall coconut trees are 9 rustic beach chalets
that come with attached bathrooms, hot showers and air
conditioning.
The resort caters not only to divers and bird watchers but it is
also the perfect getaway for anyone who appreciates the serenity
and tranquillity of a paradise island.
To get to Mantanani, one
would have to take a direct flight from KLIA to Kota Kinabalu in
Sabah. From Kota Kinabalu, make your way to Kota Belud by road,
which takes about an hour. Once in Kota Belud you would have to
take a speedboat, which can take up to another hour to get to
Pulau Mantanani.
Courtesy of Sabah Tourism and Tourism Malaysia.
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