When you take a look at the male Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus), the most prominent feature is it's huge nose.  In fact,  the 'Nasalis' part of it's Latin name means 'nose'.The noses can grow as long as seven inches on males! What the big hooter is actually used for though is anybody's guess, as scientists have never really solved the puzzle.

 

The animals are known as "Bekantan" in Indonesian and sometimes simply as "the long-nosed monkey".  They are found only in the coastal regions of Borneo, but like many species in this fragile ecosystem they are in serious danger of becoming extinct. They are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list of threatened species, andthere are only about 1,000 to 3,000 of the strange creatures left.

 

Proboscis Monkeys usually live in groups of one to three dozen and they love to set up home in trees in mangrove forests close to fresh water rivers as well as in lowland rainforests. They are also good swimmers and can travel by water and look for food there too if needed.

 

Male monkeys are generally just over two feet in length with a tail that's just as long and they weigh in at about 50 lbs. Females are smaller, usually around four or five inches shorter and only weigh about 26 lbs.

 

The proboscis monkey has quite a delicate digestive system. They eat a lot of leaves, dry starchy fruits, and seeds and produce a large amount of gas which bloats their tummies. They can't eat sweet fruits as it could cause bloating severe enough to kill them. However beggars can't be choosers, and the monkeys struggle to find suitable food in a rapidly diminishing habitat.  Deforestation has led to a decrease in food, and it is vital to increase protection of their habitat to ensure their survival.

 

The animals also lost a lot of their natural homeland in 1998 when Borneo suffered from severe forest fires that started due to uncontrolled logging, the clearing of land, and human neglect. Not only did they lose their habitat, but a large number of them were also killed in the blazes.

 

There are several Proboscis Monkey spread out around the world in various zoos, however they don't do well in captivity because of their special diet and the stress it causes them.

 

In 1976 the Indonesian government declared an area where the monkeys live on Kaget Island as a fully protected nature reserve. However, trees were eventually cleared for land, causing the population of monkeys to live closer together in over crowded conditions.  Reserve managers then allowed people to catch them, and some of the monkeys were released into the wild on the nearby islands of Burung, Tempurung and Bakut.  Unfortunately,  the monkeys did not take well to their new environment and many died.

 

The species is now protected by law in all regions of Indonesia Kalimantan, Malaysian Borneo and the Sultanate of Brunei. In Malaysia, they are protected by the Wildlife Protection Act (Federal Law) and Wildlife Protection Ordinance.

How can you help?
Visit the Proboscis Monkey Project and sign the petition to help save the habitat.