Ape is only, strangely, seen in Pacific islands (9)
I believe the answer is:
polynesia
'pacific islands' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'ape is only strangely' is the wordplay.
'strangely' indicates anagramming the letters.
'ape'+'is'+'only'='apeisonly'
'apeisonly' with letters rearranged gives 'POLYNESIA'.
'seen in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for polynesia that I've seen before include "The islands of eastern Oceania" , "Pacific region?" , "part embracing South Pacific" , "Extensive group of Pacific islands" , "Antipodeans around here" .)