The map above and the photo below show how the tiny island of Mabul has become crowded with tourist resorts and densely populated as a result of the proximity to Pulau Sipadan one of the world’s best diving sites. Almost the the only land left to run wild on Mabul is the small graveyard (the patch of green) in the map above.
Within the graveyard are growing three species of fig trees, F. microcarpa, Ficus drupacea and at least 3 fruiting F. variegata, as illustrated below;
All photos by Shavez Cheema and Chun Xing Wong of 1StopBorneo Wildlife
The orange arrow points to one of three fruiting Ficus variegata trees in the graveyard.
Ficus drupacea growing on a coconut tree stump.
Ficus microcarpa.
Ficus variegata # 2.
Ficus variegata #3.
There is a tradition among some communities in Borneo to enclose the afterbirth in a sack and hang it from a tree to ensure the survival of a new born baby.
An Island Flying Fox Pteropus hypomelanus eating a ripe female Ficus variegata fruit during daytime.
This Rufous Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax normally fishes at night and sleeps during the day. A fig tree in a graveyard makes a nice peaceful spot to sleep.
