Gomantong caves

The Gomantong caves lie along the road to Sukau in the lower Kinabatangan area in Sabah. They are large limestone caves, of which the larger one, Simud Hitam, has the largest pile of guano (bat excrements) in the world. Simud Hitam is easily accessible to the public, just a few minutes walk from the main entrance through the jungle. In the caves bird's nests (nest made by swiftlets with their saliva) are harvested. Harvesters risk their lives climbing networks of rattan ladders and ropes to get to the nests. In the caves there is a strong smell of ammonia.