The Usun Apau Plateau is located in one of the most remote regions of NE Sarawak near the Kalimantan border in the headwaters of the Baram River (Ulu Baram).
Ficus kerkhovenii is one of Borneo’s largest figs and is one of a few Bornean strangling figs in Section Conosycea that actively strangle their large host tree and use their massive root structure consisting of multiple “legs” and “knees” to remain upstanding after their dead host rots away. The photo of the fig tree trunks below all relate to one large original K. kerkhovenii fig tree.
Information thanks to Mark Sagan of the Kuching branch of the Malaysian Nature Society. The photos were taken during a fig and hornbill survey as part of a Helmeted Hornbill Conservation Project. Two species of hornbills were seen feeding on the ripe figs, a pair of Wreathed Hornbills and a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills. Photos credit Patricia Awing.
