Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary (GPS: 5.98883, 116.08944), also known as Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre, is the only remaining tract of mangrove swamp on the coastal region of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The wetlands were formerly known as Likas Swamp and Likas Mangrove. It covers an area of 24 hectares. The existence of the wetlands help stabilise sedimentation, prevent the loss of nutrients in the soil, and filters out toxins.
Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary is a sanctuary for migratory as well as resident birdlife. Birds that can be seen here the whole year round include the Chinese Crested Myna, Collared Kingfisher, green pigeons, Magpie Robin, Purple Heron, Spotted-necked Dove, Pacific Swallow, Yellow-bellied Prinia, and the Yellow-vented Bulbul. Migratory birds found here include the Black-crowned Night-Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, Common Moorhen, Little Egret, Little Heron, Marsh Sandpiper, plover, Redshank, White-breasted Waterhen, and the White-winged Tern.
Occasionally, there are also sightings of the Lesser Adjutant Stork and the Rufous Night Heron. The animals found here include fiddler crabs, monitor lizards, mudskippers, water snakes, and weaver ants. It is also a breeding ground for fish and other marine life, and is protected by the Fishery Department of Sabah. In addition to providing a safe haven for wildlife, the wetlands prevent salt build-ups to the surrounding freshwater supplies.
Visitors to the wetlands can admire the mangrove forest along the 1.5 kilometer long broadwalk.
Getting there
From Kota Kinabalu, go along the Likas coastal highway until the first roundabout at Likas Bay. Make a 3 o'clock turn to Jalan Istiadat. Go straight until the cross junction with traffic lights. Likas Square and the Sabah Trade Centre buildings are on your left. Make a right turn to Jalan Bukit Bendera Upper, which also leads to Signal Hill. Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary is the third junction to the left from the traffic lights.
Please use the information on this page as guidance only. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.
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