Samantha (standing second right) and other forestry staff and supporters (in light green t-shirts) of the Hornbill Walk at the reserve admire two kingfishers that fell out from a tree recently.
MIRI: The 25th Hornbill Walk to be held at Piasau Nature Reserve (PNR) on July 25 has been cancelled due to ongoing demolition work.
Piasau Camp Miri Nature Park Society (PCMNPS), the prime mover of the walk, was informed of this in an email from PNR management yesterday.
“In the meantime, we hope the public will continue to be part of PNR’s development,” said PCMNPS president Datuk Sebastian Ting yesterday.
Piasau Nature Reserves/ Miri Sibuti Coral Reef National Park warden Samantha Kwan said the cancellation of the Hornbill Walk was for public safety.
The nature reserve is under construction with major work expected to be completed by end of October.
“The ongoing demolition, heavy machinery and construction debris at site can pose a safety risk to visitors especially those with children,” she said in an email available to PCMNPS.
Kwan pointed out that the parking area in front of the old Tenby International school (normal starting point for the walk) is not accessible at the moment due to demolition work being done at the Hornbill Outpost.
“We will update when the walk can be resumed after construction work is done. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” she said.
The Hornbill Walk normally held on the third Saturday of every month at the nature reserve attracts an average of 100 young and old people.
It aims to encourage Mirians and visitors to appreciate nature and the environment besides enjoying a leisurely walk at the reserve to observe iconic hornbills Jimmy and Juliet and other wildlife.
The reserve is home to 73 species of birds including hornbills, two species of egrets and mammals such as palm civet, prevost squirrels, rats and plantain squirrels.
Five species of amphibians, 12 species of reptiles, 10 species of butterfly and 111 species of plants including small trees and shrubs and four species of figs are found here.