Published: Saturday September 15, 2012 MYT 11:54:00 PM

Will and Kate take in the beauty of Danum Valley

LAHAD DATU: Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton chose to walk through the well-preserved rainforest here to mark the end of their visit to Malaysia.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent about three hours touring the 43,800 hectare Danum Valley Conservation Area and talking to researchers and Oxford University undergraduates.

On their arrival, they were briefed by Yayasan Sabah Conservation and Environmental Management Division group manager Dr Waidi Sinun; Royal Society's South East Asia Rainforest Research Programme director Dr Glen Reynolds; Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Tengku D Z Adlin, and Sabah Forestry Department director, Datuk Sam Mannan.

William became a Royal Fellow of the Royal Society during its 350th anniversary in 2010.

The royal couple showed a strong interest in the progress of conservation works in the Valley and its wildlife including the Orang Utan and Proboscis monkeys.

After the briefing, they trekked into the rainforest to experience the area's remarkable biodiversity.

Waidi described the royal couple's visit as "successful and beneficial".

"The Duke of Cambridge did say that his father (Prince Charles) has a soft spot for the rainforest. I feel the visit was both successful and beneficial, as it will now lift the Danum Valley Conservation Area to a higher level. It's truly a recognition of the joint effort by Yayasan Sabah and the Royal Society," he said.

William and Kate did the Borneo Rainforest Lodge's 300-metre canopy walk before adjourning to a private lunch at the lodge.

Malaysia was the royal couple's second destination after Singapore on their nine-day tour of the Far East as representatives of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee celebration to mark her 60-year reign as Queen of England.

They are scheduled to leave Sunday to visit the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu next. - Bernama

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