THE LOON MACAQUES: The Real Monkey Business

 “I will let you see a huge clan of monkeys today.” Uncle Freddie said as he bragged about this place high enough. I was kind of “what?” when he talked about it. I ended up asking myself silently: Are we going to travel far just to see monkeys?

Well, I have seen lots of them since I was a kid but somehow, I am determined to adhere to Uncle Fred’s promise that these monkeys will be ‘different’.  

So then, Uncle Freddie and I started this exhilarating motorcycle ride to get here in Loon.

To give you a brief orientation about this place, Loon is the municipality that lies on the western coast of Bohol. Located 17 miles north of the city of Tagbilaran, this place might seem to be a hidden paradise to those who have not heard about this yet. Loon offers a distinct peaceful atmosphere; wide pristine coastlines; fresh air; and a rich, incomparable marine biodiversity.

True enough, this place has become a natural habitat for some of Bohol’s amazing flora and fauna which includes the Loon Macaques also known as the Mangrove Monkeys.

The Loon Macaques (Mangrove Monkeys)

This sanctuary serves as a natural habitat for the Loon Macaques. More than promoting tourism, this facility aims to protect both the mangroves and the monkeys; thus, creating a balance in the ecosystem. 

A souvenir shop inside the sanctuary

After paying the entrance fee of P40, Uncle Freddie and I immediately proceeded to the viewing deck by walking over this man-made bamboo bridge. This way, it also facilitates an easier way to view and appreciate the surrounding mangroves. 

The Bamboo Bridge

Now here they are—the famous Loon Macaques were like consciously waiting for their visitors. They might not have any of Filipino hospitality, but their presence was like they were putting up a show!

This Macaque have just caught a shrimp (I think) and now enjoying eating it!

Madonna and child? 

Macaques are commonly found around the world’s thick forests but their origin can be traced heavily in Asia and Northern Africa. Aside from being used as a specimen for laboratory and clinical testing, Macaques are as good as pets too!

Fortunately, I was able to see them today here because there are times in a day when they are not available for some reason—they might be so busy with things that they usually do like resting and sleeping on the tree branches, finding crabs and clams to eat, or might just be somewhere else playing around. 

Here’s a message from the municipality of Loon that you need to consider while inside the sanctuary premises:

- Do not monkey around or make unnecessary noise.
- Do not throw your garbage anywhere.
- Do not feed the monkeys; our caretakers will do it or you.
- Do not throw anything at the monkeys.
- Do not smoke, eat or drink within the macaques’ habitat.
- Do not cut or bend the branches of trees.
- Do not hunt for any wildlife.
- Do not sneak into the boardwalk from any illegal access.
- Do not stay on the boardwalk for more than 30 minutes.


These monkeys are just one of Bohol’s homegrown, beloved, wild-turning-more-domesticated animals. Seeing them makes us happy. Let’s do our part too, by taking good care and nurturing their natural habitat… and everything else will follow.