Proboscis Monkey @ Monyet Belanda, Bako National Park, Sarawak

Scientific name: Nasalis larvatus
Common name: Proboscis monkey/ Monyet Belanda (Malay)

A female proboscis monkey sitting on the tree branch. Photo by: Hanifridzuan

A female proboscis monkey. Photo by: Hanifridzuan

Proboscis monkey is endemic to Borneo. This endangered species show a high degree of sexual dimorphism. The body size of the males is usually larger than the females. The males also have a large protruding nose and this characteristic could distinguish between the males and the females of Proboscis monkey. This species lives in a group (called as harem) of 10 to 30 individuals comprises of one adults male and several females (with their young).

In Sarawak, Malaysia, this species can be found in Bako National Park (one of the smallest and the oldest national park in Malaysia, gazetted as protected area on 1957). There are seven types of forest in Bako National Park (beach, cliff, kerangas, mangrove, mixed dipterocarp, grassland and peat swamp).

What is the conservation status of Proboscis monkey? It is listed as endangered species in IUCN 2010 and listed in CITES Apendix I. Source: Meijaard, E., Nijman, V. & Supriatna, J. 2008. Nasalis larvatus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 02 May 2011.

Male Proboscis monkey with a large protruding nose. Photo by: Isham Azhar

Random view at Bako National Park. Photo by: Isham Azhar

Other species of large mammals that can be easily encountered in Bako National Park are silver leaf monkeys, long tailed macaques and bearded pigs (the largest mammal in Bako National Park).

A female silver leaf monkey with the adorable baby clinging to its body.
Photo by: Hanifridzuan.

The infant of a silver leaf monkey (Trachypithecus cristatus) are bright orange in colours and will last for a few months before it change to silvery grey colours. This species is listed as near threatened by the IUCN and the population trend of this species is decreasing. Source: Nijman, V. & Meijaard, E. 2008. Trachypithecus cristatus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 02 May 2011.

The naughty long tailed macaque. Photo by: Hanifridzuan

Bearded pig, the largest mammal in Bako National Park. Photo by: Hanifridzuan

Bearded pig (Sus barbatus) listed as vulnerable in the IUCN and the population trend of this species is also decreasing. Source: Kawanishi, K., Gumal, M. & Oliver, W. 2008. Sus barbatus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 02 May 2011. In Bako National Park, visitors can easily found this unique animals walking around the park HQ.

The Mysterious Flying Mammal

Bats are the only mammals that are capable to fly. Bats can be divided into two types; fruit bats (frugivores) and insect bats (insectivores). Insectivores bats use echolocation to locate and hunt their prey while frugivores bats use their eyesight. Generally, the eyes of frugivores bats are larger while the insectivores bats have a smaller eyes compared to the body size.

Species: Rhinolophus trifoliatus; Locality: Endau Kota Tinggi, Johor; Photo by: Hanifridzuan

Bats are very important as pollinators and also as natural insect control. Some species of bats only occupied certain type of forest. All species of bats were protected in Malaysia and some species currently facing extinction. Even though bats are protected species, they are consumed by the local peoples in certain areas (as a food source and also for medical purposes).

Species: Nycteris tragata; Locality: Endau Kota Tinggi, Johor; Photo by: Hanifridzuan

Conservation efforts are inevitably essential for better understanding of the bats’ role in their natural habitats and to protect this wonderful creature for future generation.

p/s: Nycteris tragata listed as near threatened (NT) in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2010 (Year assessed: 2008), the population trend of this species is decreasing.
Source: Kingston, T. & Meijaard, E. 2008. Nycteris tragata. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 01 May 2011.