This entry may only interest those of you out there who have a bond with animals. Dogs and cats and the occasional goat have made their way into Peta’s heart. Ubud offers us an unexpected opportunity to engage frequently with a new species – Long Tailed Grey Macaques.The two age extremes are particularly fascinating: the babies of course who have the funniest expressions and behaviors. But the elderly monkeys as well who can sometimes be a bit intimidating because of their size (and unpredictable behavior due to exposure to sometimes stupid humans who tease them) who have pronounced facial hair features that give them strong expressions.
What is unique about Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest is that the monkeys are free to roam in the wild, without “boundaries” confining them to the forest. As a result, they occasionally go on “walk abouts” in the vicinity of the forest, making their way into properties and streets nearby. They are very much wild animals, and yet they are exposed to humans on a daily basis, both those who visit the forest and their forest caretakers who provide food to supplement what they forage in the forest.
Important reminder: however “cute”, monkeys are wild animals and should never be be thought of as “pets”. There is a global problem with the exotic wildlife trade and Indonesia is no exception – having its wildlife extracted (komodo dragons, wild birds, monkeys…) making their way to “pet shops” and exotic animal traders around the world.
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| A 300 year old giant banyan tree (see Peta as small blue/white dot) – Macaques’ favorite habitat |
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| Sure liking these monkeys! |
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