Let's save Borneo's nosic monkeys

An interview in support of the campaign for responsible tourism and for the salvation of the great monkey of Borneo (after the Orango).

More information about Nasice and their habitats, and how are entato in touch with them, are contained in my book "Do not Tell Sandokan that I was here - a trip to Borneo" released in September 2008 for the CDA & Vivalda Publishers. See my other trip to Malaysia.

 

Monkey noses among Romagna and Borneo - 1st part

Simone Mariotti

Their greatest misfortune is perhaps to be less famous of the orange, the less beautiful, and more independent. But Nasice, the incredible large proboscis monkeys are among the most unusual creatures you may encounter in the forests of Borneo, and also among the most rare, unfortunately. Thirty years ago these extraordinary primates and could only show their funny nose, looks like a big long red potato and crushed, and their curious swollen belly style barrel without too much fear. In Sarawak they lived almost 7000, but today unfortunately there are only less than one thousand. Un po 'di più se ne found in Sabah, but the total population of Borneo, the only area in the world they manage to survive, perhaps not exceeding 5,000 units. It saw some during my time in Borneo, but only in a small area of Sarawak. In Sabah, however, the other Malaysian state, which occupies the northern end of Borneo, along the Kinabatangan River, went years ago that she has become a bulwark in the global struggle for survival of these unique primates.
If i had Dian Fossey gorilla, chimpanzee and orange and yet Jane Goodall and Birute 'Galdikas (the three "angels" of the paleontologist Louis Leakey, the fate either a monkey) also Nasice have forgotten a few years the their little heroine: Kristina Medici. E 'un'etologa, lives and works not far from Rimini, Bologna, and the website that created (www.proboscismonkey.org) has become the global reference point for those who want to do something for Nasice. Today we chat with her, that girl wanted to zoology, "but he did not know what to say." Then so many trips to the east, up to an encounter with that species as "wonderfully horrid": the proboscis monkeys, indeed. But we hear from you as we went.
Why this passion for Nasice? How did you come into contact with them the first time?
During my first trip to Borneo, I was fascinated by these incredible primates. Back in Italy I have been informed by taking contact with the center of Rome primatologist and network monitoring in those who care for their preservation, in Italy or abroad. Incredibly these seeds unknown animals were not part of programs of research or protection. I just started with my project for the collection of signatures of solidarity from a website. Since then, contacts have increased and the site has become the primary point of contact for scientists, professionals and supporters.
Your site actually enjoys wide popularity, and even Google (international page) the square in the first place. What goals did you post and how the above work?
We are planning a restyling of the site and we've got an initiative to "viralizzarlo" beyond search engines. Our main objective is to use the web to give recognition to this animal, and initiatives in 2009 will follow on Facebook and other social network. We would like to collect sufficient funds to do to gain space Nasice on other media. Only then we can trigger that interest by companies or private investors without which it would not be possible to achieve significant actions in Borneo.
You have the contacts to Kota Kinabalu (the capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah) and collaborate?
With the group of KK for now we work in terms of ecotourism, with the complete willingness to provide information on costs for the possible creation of a private reserve. We hope that this on-site presence can be expanded, thanks to funds and possibly enlightened investors.
There is the possibility of investing in the preservation of Nasice so serious? What could be done in concrete from

Monkey noses among Romagna and Borneo - 2nd part

There is the possibility of investing in the preservation of Nasice so serious? What could be done in practice from Europe?

In Europe, this animal is not known, as a result is ignored and abandoned to its sad fate of oblivion. The answer is in marketing and ability to involve the media. I am convinced that the proboscis monkey can be at any time a splendid testimonial to a product for general consumption, such as tissue paper. It would be a nice way to really know them on a large scale, and perhaps allocate a proportion of sales initiatives in the field. Children would love to. Often arrive at the site letterine of U.S. and Australian children who love monkeys and would help them. Also create private reserves to be allocated all'ecoturismo or "rent a distance of jungle pieces for avoiding deforestation is not impossible. We must find creative formulas to reward everyone: Nasice and their habitats, the companies involved, who obtain a benefit in marketing, and the economy locally.

I said that that there are resorts and bogus rescue centers along the Kinabatangan River. Who are handled?

Currently there are no real protected areas along the Kinabatangan, one of the last places where they can live the Nasice. Please remember that these animals do not survive in zoos, particularly Westerners. Why? Their delicate digestive system allows them to eat only seeds and leaves found in Borneo. Many specimens were still locked up left to die of starvation. There is also the center for the protection of Labuk Bay, but it is actually a resort run by Chinese tourists who show a curious Nasice now gone to the state semi-wild. Too close a relationship with man is deleterious to the animal learns that begging and dependency.

But the tourists are really interested? I start to be skeptical. When I was in Bako national park, the thirty people who were at that time by visiting the protected area, just a dozen have waited for the sunset with me among the mangroves on the sea to see the Nasice descend from the hill, and was the show more extraordinary in that place. The others were afraid that the food at the table end (sigh !)...

One of the reasons why tourists are not expected for a close encounter with this unusual primate might just be that they did not mind what animal it was. As I always said, animals are presented and publicized by the media, from marketing and advertising, such as dolphins, whales, sharks that very few would forego the opportunity to see him. And thanks to this we have created a margin in more than attenzionalità on their fate. The proboscis if only regret will disappear by the few who know of their existence. They will go away forever in a deafening silence. Why this does not happen, we must play the card of popularity, the only one that really can work.

Then there are the usual threats that come from the development. It seems to me that there are protests against the ongoing construction of a coal Sandakan with a website. Worldwide country is short. I have traveled more than anything else in Sarawak, but the situation is not very different, and very few Nasice will also remain there. Of Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan on) you know something?

Are not very aware of the situation in Kalimantan, certainly knew that Indonesia was in very adverse economic conditions, and Nasice continue, I believe, to be hunted to be eaten by local populations. In this regard, I received an email last year that indicated that the population in Sabah is not Muslim hunted monkeys to eat. Due to lack of funds I have not been able to develop a plan in place to sensitize the local people off the consumption of meat Nasice. I thought to print posters to be placed at various places, from mangrove areas to the villages. The funds are used for this.

Thanks Kristina, and we hope to have increased at least somewhat 'the popularity of these that are certainly the most curious among the great apes.

www.simonemariotti.com

Published December 17 2008 on La Voce di Romagna in the headlines