When the group followed the monkey captain to meet with their elder, he introduced himself as Donk. Apparently, it was the sound his father made when he was born. His father had been so overwhelmed he fainted and collided with a tree on the way down, making that sound. It was too memorable to not be given as a name to their son, or so thought his mother.
Since Toz and his group weren't monkeys and had to walk on the ground, the captain led them along, telling them about the place they were in, and some other mundane things. Donk also talked about why they were invited to meet with the elder.
They were headed to the Ash Monkey Tribe, the group responsible for keeping watch over the border in the area, around where Toz had entered the forest.
Donk confirmed Toz's suspicions. The monkeys were indeed guarding against the rats. But they were also watching out for any of their returned messengers or someone arriving at the forest.
