Proboscis Monkey at Kinabatangan River

As you cruise along the Kinabatangan River, chances are you might come across a strange-looking but
fascinating creature known as the proboscis monkey. With its pot- bellies, long tails and outrageously bulbous nose, they are quite hard to miss!

The proboscis monkeys (nasalis larvatus) are found only in Borneo, making it unique to this part of the world. They are forest-dwellers and are limited mainly to coastal swamp forests. Although they are typically found along the banks of the Kinabatangan river, villagers who live in the area say that the monkeys can often be seen at a particular tributary where the creatures will appear without fail every morning.

The tributary, known as Sungai Menanggul, is a 10-minute boat ride upstream from the township of Sukau. To view these amazing creatures, travel 3km upstream, preferably with as little noise as possible as they are easily disturbed by the sound of boat engines and loud human chatter.

The best time to view the proboscis monkey is between 4pm to 6pm, which is when they head to the tree branches along the river bank to settle down after a day of searching for food in the jungle. For the early birds, you can opt to see them between 7am and Sam, before they move off in search of breakfast.
 

The proboscis monkeys live in harems, which are groups containing one male, one to eight females and their offspring. These harems are almost always together, especially by the riversides in the evenings. This is why large hordes of proboscis monkeys are sometimes spotted.

The lower Kinabatangan area of Sabah is not only home to the proboscis monkeys but to other spectacular wildlife, namely the elephants, orang-utans, gibbons, long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, bearded pigs and eagles to name a few!


Interesting facts:

• The proboscis monkeys are proficient swimmers! They have partly webbed back feet, which help them to swim and walk on mangrove mud without sinking in.

• Generally, proboscis monkeys do not fare well in captivity. They become depressed, stop eating and soon die.

• The male leaders of the pack are usually found on the highest part of the tree.

• Proboscis monkeys can make a bizarre range of noises, including roars, grunts, nasal honks and squeals!
 

Proboscis monkeys are normally very shy and skeptical of human beings. Almost everywhere else, these monkeys can only be observed from a far distance. However, at our Sanctuary the monkeys have over the years, learned to place some trust in us. Although they continue to avoid being too close to humans, they generally do not mind our presence - so long as it is at a comfortable distance. This is a unique feature of our Sanctuary.

Greg Mathews  gmathews@telus.net
 

Transport can be arranged by us.

How to reach Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

The sanctuary is located at the center of the mangrove forest along the coastal land near Kampung Samawang in Labuk bay, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. From the airport in Sandakan, it is 38KM away and takes about an hour to get there, part of the trip will be through the graveled roads and jeep tracks of plantation estates. To get there, travel along Jalan Labuk going to Kota Kinabalu and turn off to SPS 3 at the junction at KM23 (adjacent to the Consolidated Sabah Farms). The sanctuary is located 15KM along the gravel road from here.

Guests staying at Kota Kinabalu can take the early flight MH2042 which is takes off at Kota Kinabalu Airport 7.00am and arriving Sandakan Airport at 7.40am. Transport can be arranged to pick up at Sandakan Airport and transfer to the Sanctuary to view the morning feeding session. (11.30am to 12.30noon). You still got the time to travel to Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary. which is only 24KM away to view the feeding of Orang Utan at 2.30pm.

Office / Mailing Address
Mile 8, Bandar Sibuga Jaya, Jalan Chung Fatt
P.O.Box 819,  Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia.

Telephone : (6) 089-230708 (Sanctuary), (6) 089-672133 (Office), (6) 089-672177 (Sunday), 6011819717

Handphone : 019-8534098,  012-8188696,  019-8139717

Fax : (6) 089-672136
E-mail: labukbay@proboscis.cc

　   ■ 地址：Jalan Chong Fatt，Off Jalan Lai Fook Kim Sandakan
　　■ 时间：11.30-13.00；16.30-1800
　　■ 网址：www.proboscis.cc