Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkeys

We were off early to Labuk Bay to see the heavily ravaged mangrove habitat and its wildlife. A palm oil producer chose to provide support for the several troupes of proboscis monkeys in the region who get daily feeds of pancakes, without sugar, and cucumbers.

Feeding at the two platforms is a riot, dominated by the jumping, but mostly peaceful primates. Unfazed by humans, the monkeys cruise in and out of the spectators who then jostle for selfies on the viewing deck.

The huge males have long, pendulous proboscis noses and keep their harem of ladies serviced by having their penis always alert and ready for action.

What they fear, apart from male competition, is the arrival of sharp-toothed, aggressive macaques to whom they cede their food.

Female monkeys with tiny babies dangling from their teats gingerly wait to nip in quick for a feed, whilst young males circle for their turn.

Suddenly, a massive male stops eating, jumps from the platform, lands on the viewing railing, scatters the amazed onlookers, then bounds into the crowd before springing onto the tin roof where he clearly enjoys making as much noise as possible.

At the second platform, one of the Rangers calls in a pied oriental hornbill, a brilliant flash of white and black feathers and knobbed beak, as it drops in to be handfed banana.