The range of the proboscis monkey has been severely restricted in Borneo, as a result of the widespread deforestation of their natural jungle habitat, for the plantation of oil palms.

Thanks to a unique safari led by Todd Gustafson, we were able to visit Bako Island Preserve off the north Bornean coast, which has several groups of proboscis monkeys there.

They are not easy to find as they prefer to travel high among the treetops and can move quickly.

In the late afternoon, a large male appeared on the ground, but quickly retreated to the nearby trees. After much searching, his head became partially visible deep in the forest through a small tunnel of foliage.

With the help of a long telephoto lens, I was lucky enough to capture this unique photo of him eating the foliage, and then, he was gone…

Photos and story by Sean G. Traynor
The Wild Borneo with Gustafson Photo Safari