After our exceptional experience with the sun bears and orangutans we still had one more sanctuary to visit, The Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.
Located within an oil palm estate about 40 km (25 miles) from Sandakan, or 20 km (12.5 miles) from Sepilok, Labuk Bay is a private sanctuary offering small, fragmented patches of mangrove forest for the local Proboscis monkey population.
In 1994, while embarking on the development of an oil palm plantation, the owner of the property came to know the Proboscis monkeys inhabiting the property. He became fascinated by them and their struggle for survival due to habitat loss from logging and oil palm plantations. As such, the owner decided to set aside the current sanctuary’s property to ensure the monkeys could continue to survive in their ever-decreasing natural habitat.
Over time, however, food became scarce on the property. As there is now insufficient food available, the monkeys receive a supplementary diet of fruits and water daily.
There are two observation platforms on the property to allow visitors to view the monkeys during feeding times. If they’re lucky, visitors may also get the chance to see silvered-leaf monkeys or hornbills attempting to get in on the action.
The feeding times on the two platforms are as follows:
Platform A – 9:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Platform B – 11:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.
Getting There
As it is a 30 minute drive from Sepilok to Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, transportation from Sepilok is required. The two main options from are:
Shuttle bus – Labak Bay offers shuttle bus services for RM20 each way. The shuttle leaves Hotel Sandakan at 9:30 a.m. with a pickup at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Car Park at 10:30 a.m. Departure times from Labak Bay’s Nipah Lodge, unfortunately, are 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. only.
Taxi – Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Car Park.
As we didn’t want to be restrained by shuttle times, we were excited to get a taxi from the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Car Park for a round trip price of only RM100! Our hotel offered a transfer and guided tour for RM200 per person, so we were excited with the deal!
As we rode from Sepilok to Labuk Bay, we passed one palm oil plantation after another. It was the first time we witnessed the magnitude of the industry throughout Borneo. The palm trees seemed to go forever.
At one point, our taxi driver pulled over so we could inspect the fruit which produces the palm oil.
Eventually, we turned onto a gravel road toward Labuk Bay. When we reached the entrance of the property, we paid our RM60 fee each + RM10 camera fee. From there, we continued to drive through a palm oil plantation until we arrived at Observation Platform B’s parking lot.
Excited to see the Proboscis monkeys, we headed down a wooden boardwalk leading to the platform. Within seconds, we spotted trees filled with Proboscis monkeys waiting patiently in the shade for their food to arrive.
Immediately, I couldn’t get over how much I loved them. Their noses make their faces look so comical, yet at the same time, familiar. Their mannerisms at times were completely human-like as they sat with their arms resting on their knees. Like tiny humans, they hung out in the trees listening to their surroundings and interacting with each other.
How did I not know about these AWESOME monkeys?!
Proboscis monkeys are only found on the island of Borneo, and are most famous for their large and fleshy noses. While both males and females have large, distinctive noses, the males are so large that they hang down over their mouths!
Believe it or not, it is widely believed the male monkeys use their fleshy, pendulous noses to attract mates. Scientists think these oversized organs create an echo chamber that amplifies the monkeys’ calls. This impresses the ladies and intimidates rival males. The males also have permanently erect red penises with black balls.
I mean, what can you really say about all of that?
Another obvious characteristic of Proboscis monkeys is their large pot bellies. They have a unique digestive system that allows them to use leaves as their main food supply. Their stomachs are divided into compartments and filled with cellulose digesting bacteria. Their stomach contents can make up 25% of their body weight, and make them look permanently pregnant.
They also have webbed feet making them extremely good swimmers.
Overall, Proboscis monkeys are extremely comical looking and we just couldn’t get enough of them!
When the feedings began, the monkeys wasted no time getting to the food. Leaping from surrounding trees and bushes, they made their ways to the platform trying to secure as much food as possible.
Compared to Sepilok Orangautan Rehabilitation Centre, Labuk Bay is significantly smaller offering only the two platforms for viewing the monkeys. It also operates much more like a reserve than a sanctuary. While the animals are free to roam and are fed, the intention is not to rehabilitate or relocate them back into the wild. As a private sanctuary, it also charges high entrance fees. They were double what we paid at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
Finally, there is limited infrastructure on the property for visitors. We couldn’t imagine spending more than an hour (or two) at the sanctuary, as there appears to be nothing else to do other than watching the feedings from the Platforms.
With that said, it is definitely worth a visit! There is no better opportunity to get up close and observe the monkeys making it a highlight of our trip to Borneo.
For more information on the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, visit www.probosics.cc.