Meet JONEL - the newest member of our Isla Verde resort family

Some time ago we welcomed a new member of staff to the resort.  His name is Jonel and he has appeared in a few blog posts and on our Facebook page.  Jonel is a an 'old world monkey' of the type known as a crab-eating macaque.  More specifically he is a 'Macaca fasicularis philippensis', the Philippine long-tailed macaque.

Although called a crab-eating macaque, crabs do not typically form much of their diet, but in some countries where they live in mangrove swamps they are known to dive for crabs and other crustaceans.

Most of their diet is made up of fruits and seeds and they also eat leaves, flowers, roots and bark.  They are opportunistic eaters though and will also eat birds in the nest (chicks or adults) and lizards, frogs fish - whatever is convenient.  Jonel is partial to bananas and just about anything tasty and healthy.

Jonel and monkeys like him are not very big, only about the size of a large domestic cat.  Macaques are used to living in a family group composed mostly of females and babies.  They are quite intelligent and can become bored, which sometimes leads to unusual and occasionally destructive behaviour.  That's why he's living in his tree and not living in the house or given the run of the resort.  He does have safe shelter though when he needs his privacy or to get away from the weather.

One thing most monkeys love to share with their family is grooming each other.  It is not always a good idea to let your monkey become your personal hair stylist though.  This is Jo before and after a visit to Jonel's SALON..

Jonel is cheeky and playful and our guests love to see him.