It is one of the world's oldest and richest lowland tropical forest with more than 200 species of trees per hectare. With the richness and abundance of flora and fauna, it is an ideal natural "laboratory" for research on tropical forest ecology and conservation. Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC), a world-renowned scientific facility was established in 1986 for research, education, training and wilderness recreation.
Among the inhabitants of DVCA are more than 120 species of mammals including ten species of primates such as the endangered Orang utan. Other large mammals include the Bornean pygmy elephant, Banteng, Malayan Sun bear, Clouded leopard, Bay cat, Binturong and many species of deer.
It is also home to 73 reptiles, 56 amphibians and more than 47 fishes. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded including the Red-Crowned Barbet, eight species of pitta including the Fairy pitta and all eight species of hornbills found in Borneo.
Activities at DVCA are guided by the Danum Valley Management Committee (DVMC) which comprises relevant State and Federal Government agencies, institutions, academia, and NGOs. A long-term research programme was initiated in 1984 between the Danum Valley Management Committee and The Royal Society, United Kingdom under its South East Asia Rainforest Research Programme (SEARRP). To date, a total of 534 research projects have been completed or are in progress, many of them collaborative between Malaysian and overseas scientists. The research projects comprise of Post-Doctoral (156), PhD (175), Masters (85), Bachelors (42) and others (76). This makes Danum Valley as one of the three leading rainforest research centres in the world besides La Selva in Costa Rica and Barro Colorado Island in Panama.
Danum Valley Studies Centre (DVSC), previously known as Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC)
DVCA is open to both international and local researchers. DVCA also provide recreation and adventures activities for tourists such as guided forest trekking, bird watching, guided night drive/walk, nature photography, camping, swimming, sunrise watch, tree platform climbing and trips to INFAPRO. Environmental Education Programme is available upon request.
