INTO THE JUNGLE

Myles Storey is a Malaysian wildlife filmmaker who produces thought-provoking documentaries in hopes that their stories could change our hearts towards nature

- ALISON LOH

WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARIES have never ceased to lose their charm towards the curious minds of people, especially children. For Myles Storey, an English-Bornean wildlife filmmaker, is one of those individuals who developed a fond connection with nature through his upbriging and these classic documentaries.

What was it like living away from the urban city? Do you think it influenced your admiration for wildlife and nature? Growing up in Sabah had a big influence on my interests towards wildlife. One of my most memorable teenage experiences was on a trip spent encamped on the banks of the Kinabatangan River – Malaysia’s second-longest river.

On our sunrise and sunset boat rides, we saw a variety of wildlife including several primates, birds, pygmy elephants, crocodiles, and badgers. It amazed me that all these exotic animals were not only living but flourishing not far away from my home in Kota Kinabalu.

This trip also showed me a different side to the story. I saw acres of palm oil trees dominating the landscape. They were practically monopolising the ecosystem and disrupting the natural biodiversity of the jungle. This experience, combined with the magical moments spent in the rainforest, convinced me that I had to dedicate my career to solving the issue of habitat and biodiversity loss.

You majored in Zoology in university, what prompted you to pick up film? I have always been curious about the natural world from both a scientific and storytelling perspective. I was first introduced to wildlife filmmaking as a potential career option through BBC’s Big Cat Diary. That was one of the first programmes to go behind the scenes to show the camera operators at work in the field.