One year after cessation of logging in Ulu Segama Malua, timber is still being trucked out of this area under cover of darkness.

Late in 2008 it was common to pass 30 or more fully laden logging trucks during the 2-3 hour journey to Danum Valley Field Centre or Borneo Rainforest Lodge.

I interpreted this glut as the last binge before the forests in this part of the Yayasan Sabah concession are converted to more sustainable use such as eco-tourism, scientific research or ecosystem services.

Now thankfully most tourism operators, researchers and responsible forest managers are spared the frustrating sight of their future income security disappearing overnight.

These are the majority who travel by day. By night it is different. On the evening of 16th November we passed 15 logging trucks on our way out from Borneo Rainforest Lodge. I was assured by my driver and companions that this is a common sight.

I am sure that the timber originates from legitimate logging contracts, possibly from further inside the concession than the Ulu Segama area? What attracted my attention was the lack of a reasonable explanation for why it has become necessary to move the logs at night.

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