The station was established in 1963 & has 29 earth ponds. There are a number of exotic freshwater fishes, amphibians & reptiles to be found at the station. The biggest freshwater fish Araipama gigas also known as the Dragon fish is found here.

It has been recorded that the Dragon fish could propel itself out of the water to snatch unsuspecting monkey dangling on branches along the river bank.

The station prides itself in spearheading the “Tagal” – a traditional system od river habitat conservation programme by the local community. The local fish species that can be found at the station such as the Pelian (Tor duoronensis & T.tambroides), Serawi (Lobocheilus bo), Lumpis (Nematabramis spp. & Rasbora spp.) & Turongou (Puntius spp.), had also been earmarked for rebreeding & restocking into their natural habitat.

HIGHLIGHTS: Visitors to the station would be able to see fish cultivation as well as those in their natural habitat in the Moyog River, just in front of the station.

YOU SHOULD KNOW: The Babagon Freshwater Aquaculture Station is managed by the Sabah State Fishery Department for research & production of local fish fries which are used for restocking the fish population in the wild.

The Kadazandusun Cultural Association Sabah (KDCA), is non-political Association of 40 indigenous ethnic communities of Sabah, first registered under the Malaysian Societies Act 1966, on April 29, 1966 by the then Deputy Registrar of Societies Malaysia, Mr. J. P. Rutherford.

KDCA's humble beginning started with the birth of the Society of Kadazan Penampang in 1953. This society paved the way for the formation of the Kadazan Cultural Association Sabah (KCA) in 1963, which in turn transformed into the present KDCA on September 25, 1991.

Ever since its inception in the early 50's, the KDCA has focused much of its efforts in the preservation, development, enrichment and promotion of the Kadazandusun multi-ethnic cultures. Without KDCA, much more of the currently existing Kadazandusun cultural heritage would have sunk to oblivion by now, buried lost forever or displaced by the ever dominating modern cultures. The KDCA's Triennial Delegates Conference provides for the much needed forum where the various Kadazandusun multi-ethnic representatives discuss major issues affecting them and their future and take up both individual and collective stand and actions to resolve common challenges.

The KDCA is presently involved in various activities related to Research & Documentation, preservation, development and promotions of the Kadazandusun culture: language and literary works; Bobolians & Rinaits; traditional medicine, traditional food and beverages; music, songs, dances and dramas; traditional arts, crafts and designs; traditional sports; traditional wears and costumes. Lately, along with the growing international cooperation of the world's indigenous peoples, indigenous knowledge, intellectual property and traditional resource rights conservation, enhancement and protection have also become new areas of the KDCA's concern and responsibility. The KDCA continues to play its vital role in fostering unity, friendship and cooperation among the multi-racial population of Sabah through its participatory cultural programs and celebrations such as the Village, District and State levels Annual "Kaamatan Festival". Over the years, it has sent Cultural Performance Troupes on goodwill tours to other Malaysian States, to neighboring Asian Countries, to Europe, America, Canada and New Zealand.

Nevertheless, like all other organizations KDCA can only move and grow in as much and as far as its resources, leaders and members can power it. There is a constant need for more young, professional, energetic and resourceful KDCA members to contribute towards KDCA's continuous growth and development. It is therefore imperative that people must know and understand KDCA's vision, goals, roles, functions and programs of activities and most of all membership privileges first before involving themselves in KDCA. This brochure hopes to enlighten KDCA members, prospective members, the public and global friends what the KDCA generally is, yesterday, today and ever onwards, tomorrow.

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, also sometimes called Lok Kawi Zoo, is a 70 hectare park jointly developed by Sabah Wildlife and Forestry Departments. Said to have cost over RM30 million to develop, the park is located on the old road from Penampang to Papar in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The wildlife park’s main aim is to educate the public about the endangered animals of Borneo, by giving those who might otherwise never see them, an opportunity to get a glimpse of Borneo’s wildlife up close.

Showcasing endangered animals such as Borneo Pigmy Elephants and Sumatran Rhinos, Lok Kawi Wildlife Park hopes to bring the exotic animals of Borneo to those who are either on a short stay in Sabah, or who perhaps have had no luck finding these animals in the wild. The Lok Kawi Wildlife Park features a primate zone where Borneo’s popular animals can be found. The orang utang pen features several of Borneo’s best known icon at play, whilst their neighbours, Proboscis Monkeys, are to be seen next door. The Proboscis Monkeys with their trademark bulbous noses consists of a large male with a harem of 4 or 5 smaller females. Their holding area is glass enclosed and therefore provides an excellent vantage point from where to observe these unique creatures. Right next to the Proboscis Monkey enclosure is a series of smaller enclosures that is home to a variety of hard-to-spot nocturnal and other forest creatures.

Although the enclosures are relatively small, it remains difficult to spot their residents, leaving you to realize how hard it must be to catch a glimpse of these elusive little critters in the wild. Lok Kawi Wildlife Park’s other interesting exhibits include the elephant pen, were several elephants can be seen going about the business of being an elephant. There are also sun bears and tigers, and these fascinating animals can be observed from the safety of a raised area.

A very impressive aviary, at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, is home to a variety of Borneo and foreign birds as well as some small animals. The aviary is a large, untouched area of jungle, enclosed inside a giant netted dome. A small river runs through the middle, recreating a very real piece of Borneo jungle. Although the birds can fly freely, the aviary ensures that they are never far away. When you remain in one place long enough and things quiet down a bit, the residents of the aviary start to appear from the shrubs and branches, making the aviary come alive.

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park also has an interesting overseas visitors, who you’d hardly associate with Borneo wildlife. From the southern hemisphere ostriches as well as emus have their individual pens. A botanical garden, run by the Sabah Forestry Department, occupies the one end of the wildlife park and provides and opportunity to get to know the plant life of Borneo. A 1.4km walkway stretches up into the low-lying hills and winds along the contours before circling back to the entrance gate.

Lok Kawi Wildlife Park is located less than 30 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu and is a worthwhile destination for both young and old, locals and foreign visitors alike. A mere RM10 for locals and RM20 for foreigners, and half price for children respectively, will get you in the gate at Lok Kawi Wildlife Park.

Monsopiad Cultural Village is based on the Legend of Monsopiad a reknown warrior/headhunter of the Kadazandusun people. The existing house in which the skulls are kept are more popularly known as the “House Of Skulls” and in itself is already a prominent tourist attractions since 1979 and is widely mentioned in tourist brochures and travel guides. The purpose of the village is to provide a conductive venue for visitors both local and international to have a glimpse of the culture of the Kadazandusun people.

The Monsopiad Cultural Village has been built with traditional materials, the way the Kadazandusun, as many other ethnic entities in Borneo have until recently erected their houses.

Once you step into village, you are transported back in time where headhunters and spirit worshippers roamed the land; a place and time when the village was controlled by the Bobohizans (female high priestesses of the Kadazan). The village keeps the culture, beliefs and traditions alive. The Village is run by Monsopiad's direct descendants and theirs stories will leave a chill down your spine… so vivid they are that it felt as if the warrior is still living amongst them.

Many who have visited feel that one of the true essences of Sabah is the Monsopiad Cultural Village. You cannot say that you have been to Sabah if you did not pay a visit to this historical site.

THE LEGEND
Legend told that many centuries ago, a lady named kizabon was pregnant. She lived in a house with her husband, Dunggou. On the rooftop of their house, a sacred Bugang bird made its nest and stayed there throughout Kizabon's pregnancy.

When the child was due to be born, the Bugang bird's hatched as well. Monsopiad's father Dunggou looked upon this coincidence as a good omen and a sign that his newborn son would have special powers. He named his son Monsopiad. The father paid special care to the birds as well, and whatever his son took a bath, Dunggou would take the young birds down from their nest to have bath with his son. When done, he later returned them to the safety of their nest. This practice was done diligently until the birds were strong enough to leave the nest.

The young boy grew up in the village Kuai (which is the ground of the village). His maternal grandfather was the headman of the village. The village however was often plundered and attacked by robbers and due to the lack of warriors in the village, the villagers had to retreat and hide while the robbers ransacked their homes.

But for Monsopiad, things were different. As a grandson of he village headman, He was given special training and he turned out to be an excellent fighter and grew up to become a warrior. Well-equipped, he vowed to hunt down and fight off the warriors that had terrorized his village for so long. He will bring back their heads as trophies, he claimed, and hang them from the roof of his house.

All he wanted in return was a warrior's welcome, where his success will be heralded by the blowing of bamboo trumpet. In order to prove that he really did as promised, three boys went with his as witnesses.

Just as he promised, Monsopiad's journey to rid his village of the robbers was a huge success and upon coming home, he was given a hero's welcome. He was so honored by the welcome that he proclaimed he will destroy all enemies to his village.

Over the years, Monsopiad soon attained a reputation and there were no robbers or evil warriors who dared to challenge him. However, the urge to kill had gotten into Monsopiad's head and he simply could not stop himself from beheading more people. Very soon, he stared provoking other men into fighting him so that he would have an excuse to kill and behead them.

With his changed attitude, all the villagers and his friends became afraid of him. Left with no choice, the village got a group of brave warriors together and they plan to eliminate Monsopiad. Much as they respected Monsopiad for his heroic deeds, yet they had no choice for he had slowly turned into threat.

One night as planned, the warriors moved in for the kills as Monsopiad was resting in his house. As they attacked him, he fought back fiercely but realized that he had lost his special strength that were bestowed upon him by the Bugang bird. By abusing his gift, he was left powerless and it was that very night that Monsopiad's life ended.

Despite his downfall, the villagers still love Monsopiad for all that he had done for them. All in all, he collected 42 powerful warriors' heads, a feat which no other man could equal. They forgave Monsopiad for his mistakes and in honor and memory of his good deeds, a monument was erected and the village was renamed after him.

Located at Petagas about 20 minutes from the city center, nearby by Terminal 1 Airport before Putatan, lies the heart-wrenching sacrifice of the brave and the fallen who lost their lives defending Sabah against the Japanese Occupation during World War II, particularly, those of the ill-fated Kinabalu Guerillas. Led by Albert Kwok, the Kinabalu Guerrillas deployed a revelation attack on the intruder which clearly recorded on the eve of October 10, 1943 in district of Tuaran and Menggatal and marched onto Jesselton (currently name Kota Kinabalu) before they were defeated and executed on the January 21, 1944.

The Memorial is located on the exact spot where 176 Sabahan guerillas were massacred on January 21st, 1944. Beautiful plaques are inscribed with the names of those who died, with well-kept lawns surrounding the area. Every year, a memorial service is held here on January 21st to commemorate those who fought and fell during the war.

Penampang - a Kadazandusun hub made up of a tight-knit community. This bustling district is a mere 15-minute drive fromKota Kinabalu (KK) city and is a unique blend of the old and the new with its modern shoplots and bungalows, fringed by sprawling paddy fields and kampong-style homes.

Dongonggon, considered the heart of Penampang, is the place to be every Thursday and Friday for this is when the Tamu (market) takes place. Traders come out in full force to sell their best produce, ranging from fresh vegetables to handicrafts.

The Tamu Penampang is particularly famous for its tapai or lihing (rice wine) and jars of bambangan (a wild mango usually pickled) and tuhau(a ginger-like plant which has been pounded and mixed with lime juice, onion and chillies). Want the truly exotic? Give the sago worms, or butod, a try!