Sunday, September 20, 2009

Short Tailed Macaque

This was my most embarrassing moment at Cerok Tokun, I have to admit, and the story should have started from a long time ago.

I have seen and pictured long tailed macaques for many times, and Dusky Langur for once, but I am very sure there must be more species out there. Since then, searching for them has become one of my agenda at Cerok Tokun.

long tailed macaque

Dusky Langur

That was why I felt so excited when spotted this short tailed macaque wandering at far end of the car park. I moved quickly, the monkey moved even faster and returned to the top of the tree. My persistence insisted me not to give up but to start searching everywhere above my head.

Out of sudden, the animal re-appeared from the lush green, and dashed towards me. This had my adrenaline going immediately; wasted no time, I ran as fast as Usain Bolt. In the split second when I turned on my heel, the macro view of that fierce look occupied my enlarged eye balls completely.

But I came back. Yes, I came back, not alone, but with my car. I was guaranteed safe by staying inside the car. The animal was still there but appeared very tame this time. Tame? Looking at how it turned its head away, I rather thought this arrogant animal treated me as a useless coward.

I had these pictures through my windscreen. I was sort of inside a cage, and the monkey in the wild.

I managed to capture the short tail of this macaque before it moved away.

Will this happening be spread among the macaques? If those monkeys keep laughing and hitting their chests, then I shall know the answer.

29 comments:

Salitype said...

that was a scary experienced! these monkeys can be fierce huh!

well, they may have consider the action invasion of privacy and reacted like any human would, confront the paparazzi!

glad you managed to get a fantastic shots of them in their natural habitat, this time in the safety of your car. nevertheless it doesn't take away the fact that you captured then splendidly!

cherie said...

ahahahaha!! this had me cracking, rainfield! a neighbor's monkey chased me once when i was a little girl, but i managed to hightail it home in about two jumps and a half! hahahaha!! what a fun post!!~~~did you tell your wife?

Kirigalpoththa said...

Surely he didnt like intruders in his territory

Tes said...

Oh wow, that was a close call for you, rainy! You better be careful next time. They might have an Alpha male that protects the clan to death (yikes) And even if those creatures look tiny for your size, do not underestimate the rabies they might be carrying. But having said that, the picture of you scrambling to, and being imprisoned in, your own car is funny! Teehee. . . well, the shots taken from your car are still good! It still manage to tell a story! :)

Unknown said...

You are a great trekker and full of energy to show us whatever new finds you have. t

Joanne Olivieri said...

I love your stories Rainfield :) He was challenging you so good thing you brought your car to shield you. Great photos by the way - amazing.

Bengbeng said...

it is no joke. dont just assume they will not attack u,.. if they do attack, it will b in a group. do b careful. this is not like Penang Botanical Gardens where there r lots of people. Do b more careful next time. I was attacked once too near the cactus garden in Botancial Gardens Penang . In my panic I dropped my bag containing goodies for our picnic. They grabbed the bag n ran off,at least 8 to 10 of them

fufu said...

dusky langur is cute... lol i was once attacked by a monkey when i was 6/7yrs old! my forehead still has the scar... not that obvious though =p i was too naughty when i was a kid XD

betchai said...

I would be as excited as you when I see them, you did the right thing, shield in your car, glad you took the pictures safely, they are wonderful.

Anonymous said...

You're a brave soul to come back! A die-hard photographer and adventure. Glad you are safe!

George said...

You don't think that macaque would tell others about trapping you in your car, do you? You'll need to keep a sharp eye the next time you go out!

rainfield61 said...

Look like the topic on monkey invits a series of long comments. and most of my friends do not have pleasant experiences with them.

Salitype: I took a detour to avoid the monkeys staying above my hiking trail this morning. haha..

TC: Good advice, I'll be careful in future while taking their picture. Paying them for their pose might help, I think.

cherie: You please don't call my wife, otherwise she will stop me from going to hike again.

Kirigalpoththa: I am not an intruder, I am just a nature lover.
I have to clarify this in my next trip.

Tes: You tell some good stories in the comment as well. The monkey must be an Alpha Male, from how it behaved.

rainfield61 said...

Pacey: I am Indiana Jones, my dear.

Poetic Shutterbug: I look very tame inside my car, that is why the macaque stops attacking me. Am I right?

Bengbeng: Your bring my memory back to the older days. Penang Botanical Garden was one of the favorite of my family used to visit when i was a kid.

fufu: You must be as naughty as a monkey. lol.

betchai: I expected the monkey would attack my car, but it didn't. It might thought no point to challenge a coward.

Icy BC: With all these comments, it is worth to have the "excited" interaction with the monkey.

George: I did not notice any difference in this morning. The news might not been spread around yet.

Heather Dugan("Footsteps") said...

Wild animals are...well, wild. And that's what makes them so interesting! Glad you kept a safe distance...

Rick (Ratty) said...

You did the right thing by running. That's the problem with us adventurers, our curiosity sometimes gets us into a bit of trouble.

Ayie said...

good running rainfield...that's dangerous. Better be more cautious out there.

Mei teng was also in near encounter with some monkeys before they are pretty wild and untamed

CH said...

Wow!!! Your holiday is full of excitement.

Unknown said...

Have a great week ahead rain and be careful always. Will be back soon to check on your upcoming post.

Sharkbytes said...

I can hardly get my head around the idea of hiking where monkeys are swinging in the trees. Are they really dangerous?

rainfield61 said...

Heather Dugan: The hiking will be less fun without story on monkey. Those animals add colour to my blog.

Ratty: Running is my only instinct at that moment. Ego again, I checked around and found nobody around. So lucky.

CH: You may have your own blog to share your experience. It must be fun.

Aiyie: Good ruuning and running is good, for both health and safety.

Pacey: Thanks a lot.

Sharkbytes: They are actually safe as long as we never disturb them. We can pass by each other but eye contact is best to be avoided.

betty-NZ said...

What an opportunity! Great photos.

AVCr8teur said...

It's funny how you were the one inside the "cage" looking at the mad monkey. I think I was in Penang when I fed a wild monkey peanuts sold by some guy on the street. Thinking back now, I don't think it was a smart thing to do.

VanillaSeven said...

This animal is not one of my favorite. They are attracted to whatever thing that we wear or hold on hands. Good thing you managed to escape last time rainfield. I would do the same thing if I were in your situation

Cherry said...

lol! (note: my laughter is louder than Cherie's!) you never fail to make me laugh, rainfield. your blogger name should be laughterfilled. hehehe!

ooops, i shall laugh no more or else i'll be the next victim! no! no! no! i don't have a car to run to!!! (now, it's your turn to laugh)

rainfield61 said...

bettyl: New friend again!! Welcome.

AVCr8teur: I am proud many of you have visited Penang. The place you mentioned, I think, should be Penang Botanical Garden.

VanillaSeven: That really tested my speed well. I passed!!!

Cher: I am proud again to see you and your daughter laughing so happily. I have to register laughterfilled.com first before ever thinking of rename.

Ayie said...

ahahaha that makes a lot of sense rainfield!

wiseacre said...

Glad it only challenged and not attacked you. Changing your pants is one thing - having to change bandages while you heal is another.

I'm not sure how I would have handled the situation. But I do know now I'd carry a baseball bat if I ever tried hiking your neck of the woods.

Amila Salgado said...

When Macaques of that size range try to charge me, I usually turn more vociferous and charge it back to overpower it, to show that I am a more dominant form. It usually works for me with the Toque Macaque here, which is the agressive type. It helps if you can grab a stick...but it is really not required as my stronger male voice (when alarmed sounding like an agitated monkey), my general bulk (not that it matches Gorilla proportions yet) and charging behaviour (giving it its own medicine) gives it ample signals that I am formidable antagonist, not an average primate.

This technique is tried and tested as we have a lot of rowdy monkeys here, believe me!

Harshi said...

That's some experience! lol

And yep, those expressions of the short tail macaque almost seem like its mocking you.. =D After all.. you did run for your life, didn't you? hehe..