Proboscis Monkeys Face Habitat Loss in Borneo as Conservation Efforts Plant Native Trees

The proboscis monkey, native to Borneo, is endangered due to habitat destruction from agriculture and logging. Males have noses up to seven inches long, larger bodies, and use deep nasal honks for communication. They inhabit forests along waterways and coastal mangroves, feeding on young leaves and unripe fruit. Population estimates range from 20,000 to 25,000, with a decline exceeding 70% over forty years. Classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2000, hunting in Kalimantan further threatens them. Hutan has planted over 246,000 native trees since 2008 to restore habitats, aiding the return of proboscis monkeys, including about 150 in Bako National Park.