How to save the rainforest: Build a health center

By Yao-Hua Law, Mosaic

Updated 1222 GMT (2022 HKT) November 21, 2017

In the northeast corner of Borneo, an island off the southeast coast of Asia, lies the tiny kingdom of Brunei. It may be a small country, with a population of just over 400,000, but there's an excellent reason for travelers to make a stop there: its rainforests are home to some of the animal kingdom's rarest creatures, many of which can only be found in the region.<br /> <br />A wonder to behold, their scarcity also means they're not always easy to find. Some of Brunei's wildlife is so precious that conservationists take care not to share detailed locations of animal sightings or typical habitats such as steaming waterfalls and shallow streams to ensure the safety of the animals.<br /> <br />Here are 10 of Brunei's most amazing animals, which any wildlife tourist should consider themselves privileged to see.<br />
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Brunei – In the northeast corner of Borneo, an island off the southeast coast of Asia, lies the tiny kingdom of Brunei. It may be a small country, with a population of just over 400,000, but there's an excellent reason for travelers to make a stop there: its rainforests are home to some of the animal kingdom's rarest creatures, many of which can only be found in the region.

A wonder to behold, their scarcity also means they're not always easy to find. Some of Brunei's wildlife is so precious that conservationists take care not to share detailed locations of animal sightings or typical habitats such as steaming waterfalls and shallow streams to ensure the safety of the animals.

Here are 10 of Brunei's most amazing animals, which any wildlife tourist should consider themselves privileged to see.
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One such species is this creative little amphibian, who has figured out how to hide from predators by blending into its surroundings. Its shape and color have evolved to look just like the dead leaves on the forest floor. Sometimes also called the long-nosed frog, it has a pointed snout and what look like horns on its head, also part of the camouflage. This comes in handy when hiding in the undergrowth to catch its prey. The species is endemic to Borneo says Muhammad Shavez from <a href="http://www.1stopbrunei.com/" target="_blank">1StopBrunei</a>, a group of local conservationists and eco-tourism operators.<br />
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Borneo horned frog – One such species is this creative little amphibian, who has figured out how to hide from predators by blending into its surroundings. Its shape and color have evolved to look just like the dead leaves on the forest floor. Sometimes also called the long-nosed frog, it has a pointed snout and what look like horns on its head, also part of the camouflage. This comes in handy when hiding in the undergrowth to catch its prey. The species is endemic to Borneo says Muhammad Shavez from 1StopBrunei, a group of local conservationists and eco-tourism operators.
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Due to the way it holds its front legs together as if saying prayers, this insect is named after the Greek word mantis which means prophet or fortune teller. Hardly a picky eater, the carnivorous mantis feasts primarily on other insects, but has been known to eat small reptiles, mammals and even other mantids, especially after mating, when females may decide to <a href="http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/best_place_species/current_top_10/praying_mantis.cfm" target="_blank">eat their partners.</a><br />
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Praying mantis – Due to the way it holds its front legs together as if saying prayers, this insect is named after the Greek word mantis which means prophet or fortune teller. Hardly a picky eater, the carnivorous mantis feasts primarily on other insects, but has been known to eat small reptiles, mammals and even other mantids, especially after mating, when females may decide to eat their partners.
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