Proboscis Monkey Welfare: Mangrove and Riverine Habitat Loss in Borneo

Proboscis monkeys are Endangered endemic primates of Borneo, highly dependent on riverine and mangrove forest that is being rapidly converted to palm oil plantations and human settlements.

Key Facts

Proboscis monkeys are classified as Endangered with populations declining by over 50% over three decades
The species is entirely dependent on riverine forest, mangrove, and peat swamp habitats along Bornean rivers
Groups sleep in riverside trees and swim across rivers regularly, exposing them to boat strike and crocodile predation
Proboscis monkeys cannot digest ripe fruits and require specialist leaf-based diet — captive care is extremely difficult

Welfare Considerations

Habitat fragmentation forces proboscis monkey groups into increasingly small riverine strips between plantations. Boat traffic causes chronic disturbance and collision risk when monkeys swim between forest fragments. Captive proboscis monkeys suffer from chronic digestive disorders and rarely survive long in standard zoo conditions, making rescue of injured or orphaned individuals extremely challenging. Infants orphaned by habitat clearing or hunting require specialist primate milk substitutes and social companionship not available at most facilities.

What You Can Do

Support WWF Malaysia and HUTAN-KOCP conservation programmes for Bornean primates
Choose palm oil products from RSPO-certified suppliers committed to no-deforestation policies
Donate to Sabah Wildlife Department proboscis monkey survey and monitoring work
Raise awareness of the habitat-specific vulnerabilities of proboscis monkeys to palm oil expansion