Indonesian Conservation Media Center

Bekantan, The Albino Monkey from Borneo

(19 Juli 2010)

Bekantan or Proboscis Monkey in English is one of endemic primates to Kalimantan. In that island, this monkey is also known as the Dutch Monkey, Pika, Bahara Bentangan, Raseng and Kahau. This fauna is a mascot for the South Kalimantan province (South Kalimantan Governor Letter of Decree No. 29 Year 1990 on 16 January 1990). The distribution of these animals is very limited and they require specific conditions for their survival. The scientific classification of this primate is as follows:

Kingdom         : Animalia

Phyllum           : Chordata

Subphyllum     : Vertebrata

Kelas               : Mamalia

Ordo                : Primata

Famili              : Chercopithedae

Genus              : Nasalis

Species            : Nasalis larvatus

The general characteristics of bekantan is like other primates, almost all areas of its body is covered by hair (fur). Its head, neck, back, and shoulder is yellowish brown. Its chest, stomach and tails are grayish white and yellowish white. The unique characteristic of this monkey is its large and long nose, which can only be found in this primate. That is why this monkey is also called the ‘Dutch Monkey’.

There are differences between male and female bekantan. A male bekantan has reddish cheek hair at the back of its face; its nose is pointier. Meanwhile female bekantan has yellowish cheek hair, and smaller nose. Female bekantan has 166 days of pregnancy period or 5-6 months and only gives birth to one baby monkey. Bekantan is considered to be mature after reaching the age of 4-5 years old. Bekantans live in groups/sub group. Each group is led by a big and strong male Bekantan. Usually the group consists of 10 to 20 bekantans.
 

This fauna is only naturally found in South Kalimantan. Their natural habitat is in the edge of the forests, nearing the rivers, peat swamp forests, freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forests and sometimes reaching deep into the forests. Their sources of diet are leaves from rambai/pedada/mangrove apple  (Sonneratia alba), ketiau (Genus motleyana), banyan tree (Ficus sp), lenggadai (Braguiera parviflora), piai (Acrostiolum aureum), and others.

Bekantans are swimmer monkeys and they can even dive for 30-40 seconds. This is connected to their habitats which are mostly swampy areas and mangrove forests. During the day, Bekantans like shady or dark places for resting. In the afternoon, they go back to the river banks to feed and to find a sleeping spot.

Bekantan population today is endangered. Its population in the wild now is estimated to be not more than 7000, whereas in 1987, its population reached 250 thousands. What a decline! This happened because of habitat loss or area of living that becomes their homes and food provider. The forest in Kalimantan is diminishing and is getting recessed by human activities. Several locations in which we can still see Bekantan in the wild are: Pleihari Tanah Laut Animal Reserve, Pleihari Martapura Animal Reserve, Kaget Island Nature Reserve, Mount Kentawan Nature Reserve, Selat Sebuku Nature Reserve and Kelumpang Bay.

Bekantan conservation effort has begun since Dutch colonialism era. It is proved by protection effort by authorizing Bekantan as protected fauna in the Wildlife Protection Ordinance year 1931. The status as a protected animal was then strengthen by the Letter of Decree from the Minister of Forestry of Republic of Indonesia  No. 301/Kpts-II/1991 and Act no.5 year 1990. Based on the IUCN data, Bekantan is categorized into ‘endangered’ status and Appendix I according to CITES. Although Bekantans have been protected by national and international law, their population is still threatened if men do not keep the balance of nature that becomes these monkeys place of living.

 

Source:

http://www.dephut.go.id/INFORMASI/PROPINSI/KALSEL/BEKANTAN.HTML  downloaded on 1 July 2010 at 05.30

http://www.majalahbravo.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137:bekantan&catid=1:fauna&Itemid=90 downladed on 1 July 2010 at 05.48