Borneo, East Malaysia – 25 November 2015: Guests and team members at Gaya Island Resort experienced ripples of excitement with two endangered specie encounters at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. On 7 November 2015, a couple at the resort enjoyed a surprise dive experience alongside a 9-metre long Whale Shark for 20-minutes before it swam off to deeper waters. A few days later, a Proboscis Monkey spotted stranded out at sea, was rescued by Gaya Island Resort's official PADI Dive Operator team with enlisted teamwork from the resort's Resident Naturalists and Resident Marine Biologist to assist in coaxing the young monkey back home on Gaya Island.

Each year, schools of krill sweep into Gaya Bay to attract one of the most magnificent creatures one could ever see: the world's largest fish known as a Whale Shark. Commonly found in open waters of the tropical oceans, this massive and docile creature feeds primarily on plankton and krill. The specie is considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its late maturation and suggested lifespan of about 70 years. Generally spotted between January and March on its migratory journey off the shores of Gaya Island, this rare encounter was indeed a memorable event for our lucky resort guests.

On 10 November 2015, just three days after the Whale Shark sighting, a young Proboscis Monkey was rescued at sea about 100-metres off Gaya Island by the resort's dive operator team on return from an afternoon dive and snorkelling session. The boat skipper inched slowly towards it, lowered down a ladder and the tired monkey quickly climbed on board to safety.

Gaya Island Resort's Resident Naturalists, Justin Juhun and Jamie T Era, and Resident Marine Biologist, Scott Mayback, were on standby at the resort jetty where the monkey jumped up onto before it leapt back into the sea. The naturalists grabbed a kayak while Mayback dove into the sea to reach and coax it out of the water. Upon reaching the resort, it climbed up a coconut tree and settled among the leaves for an hour before deciding to rejoin the wild Proboscis Monkey harem residing in the Gaya Island jungle as dusk approached.

Juhun said, 'This is part of an adult female Proboscis Monkey behavior in the wild to be dispersed from its harem and join another harem to prevent inbreeding'. This marks the second Proboscis Monkey sea rescue handled by the Gaya Island Resort team and with Juhun's passionate drive to preserve the island's resident proboscis monkey harem through conservation efforts, the endangered species is certainly in safe hands. The elusive and striking primate is found only in Borneo and the males are identifiable by its large, pendulous nose that earns him his name, Nasalis larvatus.

###

About Gaya Island Resort
Situated on Pulau Gaya within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Borneo, Gaya Island Resort is a natural sanctuary nestled in the hillside of an ancient rainforest. The 121 villas respect Sabahan elements and blend harmoniously with the natural environment while interiors are designed with a contemporary elegance. Integrated within the mangroves is Spa Village Gaya Island, offering programmes that reflect the region's healing practices, from the specialised rice scrubs and masques of the Kadazandusun to the age-old practices of the Bajau sea nomads. Discoveries and authentic experiences with nature all prevail across the YTL Luxury Resort's land and seascape, offering travellers an escape that is distinctively Borneo. www.gayaislandresort.com

About YTL Hotels
YTL Hotels owns and manages a prestigious collection of award-winning resorts, hotels, boutique experiences and Spa Villages in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, France and the UK, including Pangkor Laut Resort, voted the world's best resort in 2003 by Condé Nast Traveller UK. The group also co-owns the Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train.
 
2014 brought the launch of Kasara, a new brand of luxury accommodation offering bespoke, one-of-a-kind experiences in Niseko Village. The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the group's latest addition, is the only hotel in Bath to be part of the Leading Hotels of the World's collection of legendary hotels and has recently been named one of the Top 10 Hotel Spas in Europe. Set in the heart of Bath, a World Heritage Site, this unique heritage gem exclusively offers the only natural thermal spa within a hotel in the United Kingdom.

With each new experience that it presents, the company strives to embrace and highlight the natural essence of culture, character and tradition of its surroundings. YTL Hotels is the hospitality arm of YTL Corporation Berhad. Visit www.ytlhotels.com for more information.

IMAGES:
For high-resolution images, please visit www.ytlhotels.com/mediagallery and register for immediate access. For reservations and enquiries, please contact the YTL Travel Centre at +60 3 2783 1000 or email travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my


FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Serena Tog    
Director – Marketing & Communications    
Email: serena_tog@ytlhotels.com.my    
Tel: +60 18 799 9007    

Koay Jie Ling
Assistant Manager - Marketing & Communications
Email: jieling_koay@ytlhotels.com.my
Tel: +60 18 799 9007