The significance of North Borneo, hence Sabah, to the pioneering wildlife documentary makers Osa & Martin Johnson was brought to life by Ms Jacquelyn Borgeson, curator of the Osa & Martin Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute, Kansas, USA. The Society hosted Jacquelyn for the 2nd time in 5 years, and were treated to slideshow of over 90 photographs, covering the 1920 and 1935 Kinabatangan expeditions of the Johnsons.
With timeless images captured, and many processed in the wild, Jacquelyn held the assembled audience in rapt attention, many of whom probably were not aware of Sabah’s place in this particular slice of history. As we learned, if the Johnsons hadn’t visited in 1920, they probably would not have gone to Africa if they had not photographed our elephants. If they hadn’t gone to Africa, the world of wildlife documentary may be very different today.
It was refreshing to learn of the interest in Sabah held by those from afar, prompting us to consider what treasures lie right at our collective doorstep and backyard. Given the rate of progress and development today, one should also give due consideration to the manner in which we might preserve the natural heritage of Sabah; flora, fauna and socio-anthropological in nature.
