Borneo, an exotic island where you can find animals nowhere else in the world. Our family came to Borneo to learn about the uniquely adapted animals. While we were on the island, we went to a place called Bako National Park. Bako was a place of wonders, and we oohed and aahed at all the diverse animals. We saw animals including Bornean bearded pigs, probiscus monkeys, macaque monkeys, silvered langur monkeys, colugos (in the cynocephalidae family), common sun skink, Borneo skink, barred mudskippers, giant mudskippers, and fiddler crabs.
The amazing, yet funny looking probiscus monkeys. I have wanted to see them since I had first heard of them. We were at a beautiful beach waiting for Ada to get her shoes on, and she ran up to us saying “Mama, mama, mama, mama!” She said that she heard screeching and thought that it was a bird, but she had actually seen a monkey, possibly probiscus, flinging itself across the canopy! Dad asked our boat driver (since Bako is on an island) “uh, probiscus?”, and our driver replied “probiscus, yes!” We got closer, and dad got an epic jumping probiscus monkey video (shown below). A bit later, we got back on the trail called T. Paku, and headed back to HQ.
Coming down from the next trail (called “Sapi”), I saw something walking on all fours in the middle of the path, straight towards me. At first, I thought it was a bearded pig, and asked dad “what is it?!” And dad replied “a monkey!” The macaque called reinforcements, and dad said “yeah, back up, it has babies. If you back down and leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone.” But he was wrong. We started backing up, up the stairs, and at the top, we looked back. They were climbing along the railing, still pursuing us. We backed up further and further, macaques still in pursuit. Finally, we had to do something. Dad picked up a stick and made long, loud shhhhhhhhhhhhing noises. I copied him, throwing both my arms in the air and shhhhhhhhhhhhing. The macaques jumped backwards and scampered into a tree, screeching at us as we passed. Now that was what I called an adventure.
I love it Will 🥰
Holy Cow, Will, or even more succinct, Holy Probosis! You help me understand that Borneo is such a special place to be, full of unique exploits in Nature. I imagined turning the tables and being part of the macaque family and seeing this strange family of apes ahead on the trail that wear clothing on their bodies & shoes on their feet. “What curious sounds they make! Let’s get closer and see if we can be friends. Oh – they don’t climb trees? Oh, well. Looks like they have much to learn!”
I love that you’re sharing your adventures and look forward to reading more!
Wow! They are like little people following you around. They are as curious of you as you of them! Keep the excellent posts coming. After reading your post I can close my eyes and visualize being there. Lots of love, Grammie❤️
What another great adventure you’re having. And those monkeys. I think they liked you all. You’re such a great storyteller. I just loved reading your blog and seeing your pictures. Keep having fun. Love you ❤️
Will, I loved your story and video of the Macaques in Pursuit! They looked quite assertive and I was relieved when they took a step back from you. Also, I was pondering how fun it would be to fly from branch to branch like a probiscus. Thanks for bringing Borneo to Alaska.
Adventure for sure. Great story Willem.