Friendly Silverleaf Monkeys at Bukit Melawati

In our quest to visit off-beat attractions in and around Kuala Lumpur, we heard about firefly watch at the Selangor river in Kampong Kuantan in Kuala Selangor. In this saga, we learnt that Bukit Melawati is on the way and is known for Silverleaf Monkeys and Lighthouse.

As I was not sure of the route, we took our regular cabbie and it was a pleasure to be driven like this. We started around 4.30 PM taking the North-South Plus Highway, and took the Sungai Buloh exit. From there we followed Bukit Melawati signboard. Bukit means hill in Malay. We reached there by 5.30 PM. As we were winding up through the hills the short majestic lighthouse came into view.

This faces the straits of Melaka and is in use since 1907. Visitors are not allowed inside so we had to just click from outside. Before we could find a proper parking place we saw monkeys crowding the path and dared not to miss the scene so hurried to shoot even without unwinding the windows:)

The monkeys were not aggressive and to my surprise they were not even noisy. Unlike the monkeys that we commonly see, the adult silverleaf monkeys are dark grayish, where as their babies are golden brown.

 

In their natural habitat

 

On the fence

We met a local who comes to this place everyday to feed the monkeys. He was so close to them and had named 3 of them based on their nature! From him we came to know that the golden brown babies start changing color slowly and by 4 months they reach the same color as the mom and from then they start being independent.

There are petty vendors selling food that monkey likes. Though the monkeys are well behaved, at times they show their true color and grab the food packet if we hold it visibly. When I bought long-beans to feed the monkeys the vendor suggested that I hide the packet in the bag and show one piece at a time.

After taking few pieces from me, the bright chap identified the source of its treasure and lurched for my camera pouch and deftly took the remaining food!

On our way down, the panoramic view was breath taking. Below shot shows fishermen settlement. 

 

We came down around 6 PM and headed to Kampung Kuantan to watch the fireflies. Will rattle on that experience tomorrow:)