Monkeys in Malaysia

We did a number of different tours in Malaysia but the highlight was definetly our trip to Sandakan to see the Orang Utans and the Probiscus Monkeys. It also happened to be my birthday - thus creating a new tradition of birthday animal experiences.

We set off (very) early at 5:45 for a quick flight across Malaysia Borneo to Sandakan and then on to the Sepilok Orang Utan Centre. The centre rescues baby orang utans that are orphaned by clearing for plantations, nurses them back to health and releases them into the protected jungle sorounding it. Some Orang Utans will never become truly wild again, but some will eventually be transported back into remote jungle areas to boost numbers in the wild.

We watched the 10 o'clock feeding, where the keepers place bananas and suger cane on a platform for the semi-wild animals. We saw 8 Orang Utans including 2 babies on the day which was apparently a good show up. There was also heaps of cheeky macaques who would sneak up and steal the food when the keepers were not looking, then fight each other for the takings. Brent and I were mesmerised by the antics of the Orang Utans and the Macaques and took heaps of photos and had to be dragged away to get on the bus.

Mother and child, hanging around

Note the Macaques watching for falling bananas

Macaque come down to say ello

After a delicious lunch at an old colonial house overlooking the harbour we set off again, by boat this time, in search of the probiscus (long nosed) monkey. After about a 45 minute trip past endless mangroves and the occasional stilt village we slowed for some monkey spotting. Didn't take long to find some, and where there was one there were usually others as they hang out in harem and bachelor groups. Had to be quick though as once they got wind of us they would leap from their vantage point in the trees to cover in the undergrowth. We also spotted kites and other birds as well as the odd macaque.

There are photos here if you want more of a monkey fix.