Proboscis Monkey, Malaysian Borneo Borneo is one of the most fascinating places on Earth. It is home to some of the world’s oldest rainforests as well as mangrove forests and peat swamps. These unique habitats are home to an eye-watering diversity of plant and animal life, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet.

The proboscis monkey is one such species. Found only on the island of Borneo (mostly within the mangrove forests), they are often overshadowed by their more - let’s say 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘤- neighbours, orangutans. But these guys deserve just as much attention. Living in family bands of up to 50, they will join with other groups during the day, or at night to sleep. They largely co-exist peacefully, with serious aggression being rare.

The first picture shows a female, showing off her beautiful orange and grey fur. The second shows a male, showing off his enormous nose (which gives the species its name).

Borneo has suffered extensive deforestation over the past few decades. Half the world’s tropical timber comes from these ancient forests, and more land is cleared every day for palm oil. When I visited in 2012, I was shocked to see the forest from above. Rather than a mess of wilderness, it was straight lines as far as the eye could see: rows and rows of palm oil plantation.

Proboscis monkey numbers have dropped by 50% in the past 40 years, due mostly to habitat loss. This is the only place on Earth that these animals can call home, and it’s being lost every day.

Proboscis Monkey, Borneo