A file photo of the 'cobra head sea stack at Bako National Park. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
NATIONAL parks hold a treasure trove of flora and fauna, drawing travellers who prefer to explore destinations that are off the beaten track.
Throw in some stunning geological formations and tourists will find themselves mesmerised by Mother Nature’s “sculptures”.
Just like Australia’s iconic Twelve Apostles – a set of limestone stacks along the Great Ocean Road in Melbourne – Sarawak too is home to a unique formation called the “Cobra Head" sea stack.
However, it was reported that the rock formation in this Bornean state had collapsed. Did this really happen?
Verdict:
TRUE
The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) confirmed that the rock formation, known as the "Cobra Head" sea stack, collapsed on Tuesday (Feb 13) when a park guide reported the incident.
"The collapse of this iconic sea stack was most probably caused by big waves experienced on site.
"The recent big waves were the final act of erosion which had been happening to this coast of Sarawak for millions of years," SFC said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 14).
A photo showing the area where the sea stack used to be. - Photo by Borneo Adventure/Facebook
Its chief executive operator Abang Arabi Abang Aimran, who expressed shock at the collapse, said the sea stack was important not only for its natural beauty but its contribution to the local tourism industry, particularly for boat operators at Bako National Park.
He added that the sea stack held great significance as one of the country's geological treasures, formed from sandstone through the process of erosion.
The collapsed sea stack was reported by local tour company Borneo Adventure on Tuesday.
"The sea stack at Bako has gone, collapsed. Our guide Paul was there just now," it said in a video posted on Facebook.
This is the second well-known rock formation in Sarawak to collapse in recent years.
On Feb 20, 2020, the "horse head" cliff at Tusan beach in Miri collapsed, believed to be due to heavy rain.
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