Help save the animals of Borneo, support our projects,join us and experience them yourselves and make a difference

Shavez Cheema, Position Founder

1StopBorneo Wildlife for me is the dream conservation organization.We work on dolphins,elephants,frogs,cool insects,flora,pangolins and so on. I founded the organisation in 2012 in Brunei and since then we have expanded our projects in Sarawak and Sabah.

From a lonewolf to an army of nature lovers we are now in 2020.I fell in love with the animals from a young age.Seeing naturalists like David Attenborough & Austin Stevens and seeing amazing animals in the wild just behind my house. I wanted to be the voice of the voiceless after seeing their suffering infront of my own eyes from helpless monitor lizards being strangled to death just because they ate peoples chickens to lack of information available on Borneo wildlife at that time.

Our modal is conservation tourism. We sustain our projects through responsilbe wildlife tourism. We need $ to sustain our wildlife rescue service and other projects. Our main projects are the Plant4BorneoElephants project,Borneo Dolphin Project,The Pangolin Project, Marudi Cycling from Longhouse to Longhouse project and fauna flora research in rainforests.

Yulinda Wahyuni Binti Eddyutowo, Senior Officer

As a local Sabahan that lives in Tawau. I've always had a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife, especially since joining 1StopBorneo Wildlife in 2020 and being involved in various projects.

Starting as an intern in 2020 and continuing my journey to the present as a Senior Officer, my growth with 1StopBorneo Wildlife has been profound, thanks to the abundance of opportunities given to me. 

I graduated from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Biodiversity & Conservation). Since then, my aspiration is to further contribute to the conservation realm, with the ultimate hope that one day, locals, especially people of Tawau will cherish and prioritize our wildlife and nature more than before. After all, anyone, regardless of their background, can make a change.

Lisa Thieme, WWF Grant Manager/Project Planner

Borneo is a special place for its incredible biodiversity in nature and the people living on the island.  We have great examples of humans living in balance with nature and this is what 1StopBorneo is enabling from increasing employment through tourism, reforestation in harmony with the plantations and sharing the knowledge of nature with others.

I was lucky to work in both Malaysia and Brunei for a decade.  Finding out how to effectively help the wildlife and forests has culminated with the support to 1StopBorneo and the reforestation efforts.  As a geologist working to understand aspects of the earth for the last 30 years, my appreciation of being outside and protecting the wildlife and forests has always been important to me.  Three years as the Chairman of the Panaga Natural History Society in Brunei expanded my knowledge and recently I finished my Yale University certificate in Tropical Forest Restoration and Agroforestry to improve my understanding of effective reforestation methods.

The focus of my efforts recently is the Plant4Tawau reforestation corridor and the successful grant application with the World Wildlife Fund on this project.  This grant will help accelerate the reforestation plans which is crucial for the wildlife in the Tawau region.

We are honored to share this platform of action for wildlife. Hopefully through awareness, we will make a difference.

Mala/Adi , Commitee Member

We grew up in different parts of the world but even as individuals Adi and I have always had a strong affinity for nature whether it be a small insect foraging among the bushes at home or fish swimming in the river. Nature fuels our curiosity, wonderment, and excitement. There is never a dull moment.

Growing up by the sea in Sabah and being a marine biologist, the ocean has always been dear to my heart. Our journeys came together on Sipadan where our passion for the ocean resulted in marriage and owning a business centered around diving, underwater photography and marine awareness. Our travels gave us the chance to observe life above and under the water. Nature has so many facets to explore.

Our prolonged stay in Sabah in 2020 gave us a chance to explore the jungles and thus we came across the enthusiastic and knowledgeable Shavez and Chun of 1StopBorneo Wildlife. We love the idea of sustainable tourism which gives back to nature. We are having a wonderful journey into the intricacy surrounding the jungles and life found in them. The work the organization carries out from rescue and release to various studies of Borneo mammals, birds and insects including fig work is fascinating and highly recommendable.

Ledumin, Commitee Member

Hi, my name is Ledumin. I’m from Kg. Sayap, Kota Belud, Sabah. I was a hunter-gatherer, doing that for the living for the whole time in my life until I meet Shavez back in a few years ago. After accepting the offer to join the 1StopBorneo Wildlife, I feel lucky, able to learn new knowledge and see something in a new different perspective towards wildlife of Borneo. 1StopBorneo Wildlife gives me a new way of living too, by becoming a nature guide. I love to see all kind of wildlife species in Borneo and learned their name in English. We are never too late, never too old, to learn about our nature and wildlife in Borneo.

Koid Qian Qun, Head of Field Research

I was born in Kedah, a small place located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Currently, I am studying in University Malaysia Sabah, under the programme of Conservation Biology. I joined 1StopBorneo Wildlife since 2016. To me, this organization is very unique. Different types of nature-related activities such as Book Club, Movie Nights, River Clean Up, and Forest Outing have been carried out and always opened to students and public. 
I always learn new knowledge and skills from the activities that I have joined. Fun facts about wildlife, plants, and nature, experience of spotting animals in the forests, and having good communication skills are the things that I have learned from this organization. They are so valuable to me. This organization also gives me the opportunities to do the stuff that I interested in such as carry out research project and writing papers related to wildlife. I am really happy being part of this organization. I hope I could continue to learn new things from and contribute more to 1StopBorneo Wildlife. 

Bud Chapman, Committee Member

 I am a mature student of the world, committed to environmental awareness, protecting the native animals of Brunei and helping people achieve their goals in life.

I believe that with team we can all achieve our goals and I am really enjoying being part of this team.

My background has been as a member of the emergency services and in education, currently I work in a support role for CfBT Education Services.

It has been a privilege to be able to support 1stopBorneo Wildlife by looking after and releasing back into nature some of the native animals found here. As Head of Animal Rehabilitation and Release my role will be to prepare those animals we receive with the help of other volunteers.

I look forward to lots more time and experiences that will benefit Brunei, its environment and natural heritage.

Richard Thomas, Committee Member

I am also a mature student of the world with a passion for wildlife, tropical jungles and the protection of the native wildlife of Brunei.

My background is British Royal Air Force for 12yrs and 28yrs in TelecommunicationsNetworks Engineering & Worldwide Network Synchronisation. I am currently happily retired from the ‘world of work’ and spend my time between UK and Brunei.

1StopBorneo Wildlife is a wonderful NGO with a wonderful committed team of enthusiasts led by the most passionate advocate of wildlife and nature that I have ever known. I am proud to be part of the team. I work closely with Bud Chapman here in Brunei with Rescue and Rehabilitation and release of our native wildlife. It is such a satisfying feeling releasing an animal that can once again live wild and free in the junglewhere it belongs.

Aside fromwildlife, my interests are motoring (built my own sportscar),  and badminton (played tournaments in many parts of the world).

Martin Parry, Committee Member

I am a lucky (healthy) retiree, able to spend my time in both UK and Sabah, where I have a flat bought under the MM2H scheme. Previously, I had spent 10 years in diagnostic microbiology in UK’s National Health Service before lecturing in microbiology and parasitology in universities in Hong Kong and London. My PhD was based at Kew Gardens, London, as part of a group investigating the potential of microbial metabolites for control of insect pests.

 I first came to Sabah because of an annual visit I made as a course moderator for a college in Brunei. During my subsequent visits to Sabah since 2013, I began to realise the disparity between Europeans’ perception of Borneo as an island of rainforests and biodiversity and the reality of conservationists and committed scientists fighting a rear guard action against the increasing damage to rainforests and their inhabitants, both human and non-human.

I realised something else: that there was a very real parallel between agricultural practices and their economics in the UK and Sabah. Human activities have destroyed almost all of UK’s

forests long ago; Sabah hasn’t achieved this yet and just might halt destruction. Nevertheless, agriculture based on large scale cultivation of monocultures is common to both regions. The use of chemicals and planned habitat destruction is shared.  Serious declines in a wide range of animal and plant species in Borneo and Europe are now being realised. Western people have absolutely no grounds for claiming they do things better!

Natalie Ben Arosh, Commitee Member

My name is Natalie Ben Arosh. Ever since I was a young girl, I loved spending time in nature. Growing up in The Netherlands I was always intrigued by wildlife documentaries about South-east-Asia. I dreamed off travelling there to see it with my own eyes. So as soon as I could afford tickets, I headed for that region.

Then one day an amazing opportunity gave me the chance to stay and work in Kota Kinabalu and I have been on this very special and  stunning Island since 2011.

About a year ago I was very privileged to meet the passionate and determined founder of 1StopBorneo. His love for making a difference within conservation has been very infectious and I realised we need to make changes in order to save what is left of the precious wildlife and rainforests on this island. And that change starts with ourselves.

Even though I have only just started to be part of this amazing organisation, it's incredibly exciting to learn so many new things each time, especially about the unique flora and fauna that we have on Borneo.

Allister L. Commitee Member

My name is Allister, I’m from Sibu, Sarawak. Study Business in Tourism Management at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Loves traveling with a little adventure, and learning from the others. I joining 1StopBorneo Wildlife as an intern for 3 months (June-Sept 2019) and got involved in various projects and activities within that time. Thanks to Shavez, for the great exposure to conservation tourism, I’m grateful to be surrounded by people that value our nature and wildlife in Borneo. Nature Book Club, “No Plastic Straw” campaign, posters on awareness, Marudi Longhouses Cycling Adventure, Tawau Hills Park, #Plant4BorneoElephant documentary launch day are the name of few things I got involved with. I hope the efforts we made for the future on the nature and wildlife in Borneo will be an example and inspiration towards the society.

Isyaharah , Committee Member

An ordinary girl from semporna. Currently, I am a university student majoring in Tourism Management. I have always been so eager to learn about animals and forest. I started joining 1stopborneo in 2016 and this is when I was introduced to Nature Book Club that have triggered my passion to learn about wildlife more. I have also joined the Movie Night, Cleanup and outings. There's just so much ways of learning the wildlife. I hope to make people more aware about the importance of wildlife.

As an educator, I hope to be able to use that knowledge to influence myself as well as others and thereby to contribute wherever I can, in order to protect the incredible nature and wildlife that is left in Sabah. I'm looking forward to get closer to nature and be the voice of these voiceless animals as well.

Syaharah Hussin, Committee Member

I'am adventurer and wanderers person. seeking for experiences in exploring the nature of Sabah. I was born and raised in a small town known as Semporna. Joining the 1Stopborneo Wildlife has changed my point of view about how important is to protect the endangered animals. 1Stopbornoe Wildlife has give me the opportunity to be part in protecting the animals and the nature. Currently, a student majoring in Tourism and for me, tourism is not always about providing a service for tourists experience a tourism products but I strongly believe that tourism can be part of way or as a tools to conserve the animals and nature.

Her current interests are people-based conservation programs and the traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous communities which can be the key to environmental conservation.

I am forever grateful for the experience and this journey with 1StopBorneo Wildlife.

Bazilah, Commitee Member

Bazilah joined 1StopBorneo during the early years of its execution in Brunei, sometime in 2014. She has always been interested in finding balance in the environment which led her to pursuing a HND in Agriculture & Countryside Conservation at Aberystwyth University.

Once she graduated, she joined 1StopBorneo in the hopes to learn more about wildlife conservation in Brunei. She did. With Shavez's guidance and enthusiastic personality, she was involved with the education team, river cleanups and also wildlife rescues. It was during this experience that she learned of the existence of slow loris and pangolin in Brunei! She had also worked closely with these animals during their rescue and rehabilitation process. Not only that, through 1StopBorneo she met a diversity of people who came together under one purpose that is wildlife conservation. Through this, she met not only specialists or experts but also lecturers, veterinarians, teachers and the amazing locals who became her friends.

With the real-life practical experience she gained, she went to pursue a Bachelor''s Degree in Environmental Studies from Universiti Brunei Darussalam to further understand the environmental system and the interdependence of human and the environment. What opened her eyes was that we tend to forget that human is also part of the environment. We tend to disassociate wildlife and human from the environment. When in actuality we (human & culture), and wildlife makes up the environment.

Chrislyn Mujan , Commitee Member

My name is Chrislyn Mujan, I am a graduate from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. I joined 1StopBorneo Wildlife since August 2023.

I have been passionate about conservation work since childhood. Joining 1StopBorneo Wildlife has not only fulfilled this dream but has also broadened my perspective on the many approaches we can take to contribute to nature conservation.

At 1StopBorneo Wildlife, I have been exposed to many activities aiming to protect and nurture our environment. From tree planting initiatives to engaging school programs, informative talks, exhibitions, and social media campaigns. 

Elvinis Gunong , Commitee Member

Hey there, I'm Elvinis Gunong hailing from beautiful Sabah! Currently diving deep into the world of Animal Resources Science and Management at UNIMAS, Sarawak. From internship gigs to volunteering stints like plant4Tawau and the Borneo Wildlife Series Launch, I've been soaking up experiences like a sponge. Surrounded by passionate nature enthusiasts and fellow wildlife warriors, every moment is a lesson. Let's rally more folks to join the movement in safeguarding our planet and cherishing our precious wildlife!