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"swiftlet farming" is defined as a production system of edible birds' nest by preparing specially designed buildings imitating the cave-like environment for the swiftlets to roost and nest; harvesting of nests at the appropriate season does not affect the species from reproduction. To experienced swifltet farmers, your comments and suggestions would be much appreciated. To newbies, I hope this blog help you in your quest for more information and knowledge.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Niah Caves, Sarawak

Accessible via road in less than 2 hours, 120km from Miri. The cave is where prehistorical human remains found dating 40,000 years ago. The cave was one of the largest producer of "black nest" in Sarawak with annual nest yields of 18,500kg in 1931 and the swiftlet populations was in the range of 1.7millions in 1935.

Arrived at Niah National Park.

Took a short boat ride to cross the river.


Took a long plankwalk to the caves main entrance.


Traders Cave is a long low cave with old trading stalls made out of Belian wood, some of them nearly 100 years old.



Main cave


Look out for the swiftlets living in the ceilings of the cave. Some parts of the cave have low ceilings, spotted some swiftlets as well as bats resting during the day here. Picture above shows the hanging sticks left for climbing and harvesting the nests in the ceilings of the cave.


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