A professional photographer and conservationist, J. Cede Prudente was born in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Based in Sandakan’s east coast, he lives in one of the world’s most diverse and exciting environments. 

After graduating from university, Cede became an apprentice in the aquaculture business before plunging into the challenging task of managing the first wildlife lodge in Sukau, on the Kinabatangan river, in 1990. He learned from the ground up, running every aspect of the lodge as well as introducing researchers, film crews and tourists to the wildlife of one of the richest regions in Southeast Asia. Working frequently with professional photographers, Cede was inspired to save for his first camera, a Nikon FM2, which he treasures to this day.

Between 1998 and 2001, Cede helmed the Malaysian Partners for Wetlands, a project of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia with the challenging goal of bringing together divergent parties (government agencies, the oil palm sector, tour operators and the local community) to establish a plan for wetland management and to ensure the restoration and conservation of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain.

Today, Cede has returned to his first love - photography. With his company, North Borneo Safaris, he offers a range of services including still photography, skills and services for film shoots, and guiding for special interest groups. In addition, he conducts photosafari trips in Sabah’s Parks and Wildlife Reserves.

 

Cede is much sought after for images of natural Borneo and he has collaborated on several books. Above are the covers for Wild Borneo, published by New Holland and Kinabatangan produced by Natural History Publications

Cede showcases some of his photography on his own website www.cedeprudente.com. He may also be contacted at nbsafari@streamyx.com