Where Is Crocker Range?
Important Facts About Crocker Range
Crocker Range is located in the Malaysian state of Sabah, which occupies part of Borneo Island. The range lies between Sabah’s east and west coast, and was named after British-born Bornean administrator William Maunder Crocker. The average height of Crocker Range is 5,900 ft, which makes it Sabah’s tallest mountain range.
Crocker Range National Park
Part of Crocker Range is protected within the boundaries of Crocker Range National Park. The park was founded in 1984 in an area that was previously a forest reserve. Crocker Range National Park encompasses an area of 1,399 square km, which is about twice the size of Singapore. The elevation of Crocker Range Park varies between 100m and 2050 m, and Mt. Alab is the highest peak. Flora in the park feature many species that are endemic to Borneo. The park has a significant diversity of primates including sociable macaques, furry tarsiers, orangutans, and gibbons. Headwaters of many important rivers that drain the west coast of Sabah, like the Padas River, have their origins in Crocker Range National Park. Sabah Parks is responsible for maintaining Crocker Range National Park.
Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve
The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is located south of Mount Kinabalu, and features hills and mountains dissected by river valleys. The reserve has an area of 350,584 ha and its elevation ranges between 6 m and 2,076 m. A variety of endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna are found in Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve.
The Tallest Peak in Crocker Range
Mount Kinabalu is the tallest peak in the Crocker Range, and is the central feature of the Kinabalu Park UNESCO World Heritage Site. With an elevation of 13,435 ft above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is also Malaysia’s highest mountain and the world’s 20th most prominent peak. Mount Kinabalu was first summited by John Whitehead in 1888.
Kinabalu Park
The area in and around the mountain is one of the world’s most biodiverse ecoregions. There are between 5,000 and 6,000 species of flora, 100 species of mammals, 326 avian species, and a diversity of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates living in the park area. Kinabalu Park is famous for its rare plants, like Rafflesia, and threatened primates, like orangutans. The flora of the park exhibit high levels of endemism. More than 800 species of orchids, including some of the most valued species, grow in the park. The area has the world’s richest collection of Nepenthes pitcher plants.
Threats to the Ecosystem of Crocker Range
Since areas in and around Crocker Range are unsuitable for farming due to the steep slopes and poor soil, threats of deforestation for agriculture are low. However, logging activities are prevalent in many parts of the mountain range, which has triggered a degradation of the habitat of Crocker Range.
