Bali's Sangeh Monkey Forest to Build Rabies Clinic — 23,000+ Tourists Visited in July Alone

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Bali's Sangeh Monkey Forest to Build Rabies Clinic — 23,000+ Tourists Visited in July Alone

A staff member at Bali's Alas Pala Sangeh Monkey Forest was seen applying alcohol to a foreign tourist's back — the blonde-haired traveler had been scratched by a monkey while exploring the 14-hectare monkey sanctuary.

The head of the Sangeh Monkey Forest Tourism Destination (DTW), Ida Bagus Gede Pujawan, explained that the monkey forest already has standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling monkey scratches and bites — including washing the affected area, applying alcohol, and using antiseptic.

This mitigation approach can be used for tourists scratched without open wounds. "If it's a bite wound, anti-rabies vaccine (VAR) is mandatory — that's our service standard here," said Pujawan on Tuesday (28 July 2026).

Data from the Sangeh Monkey Forest shows 11 incidents of tourists being scratched or bitten by monkeys in June 2026. Meanwhile, visitor numbers to the Badung Regency attraction reached 19,810 that month.

From 1 to 25 July, there were 29 incidents — 13 scratches and the remainder bites. Yet visitor numbers during the same period reached 23,113.

Bali Health Department data reveals that from January to June 2026, rabies-transmitting animal (HPR) bite cases across Bali totaled 34,561. By regency: Badung (6,599), Karangasem (4,403), Denpasar (4,214), Buleleng (3,930), Tabanan (3,864), Gianyar (3,834), Jembrana (3,408), Klungkung (2,485), and Bangli (1,824). Monkeys are classified as HPR carriers.

According to Pujawan, the monkeys at Sangeh are not aggressive despite the heavy tourist traffic. The primates only scratch or bite when tourists attempt to touch or disturb them.

The Sangeh Monkey Forest DTW will build an on-site clinic. Medical staff and VAR vaccine supplies will be provided by the Abiansemal Community Health Center (Puskesmas). "Clinic construction is still awaiting approval from the Sangeh Traditional Village," Pujawan noted.

Currently, tourists injured by monkey bites are rushed directly to Puskesmas Abiansemal for VAR injections. Health workers and monkey forest management also record the tourist's identification details.

Pujawan stated that the Sangeh Monkey Forest has recorded zero rabies cases since the site opened in January 1969. The new clinic will help address tourists' concerns about rabies exposure while visiting the monkey forest. "Worries about rabies certainly exist, but they can be minimised through these programmes," he said.

During a tour of the site, detikBali observed multiple staff members patrolling and occasionally accompanying tourists. Photographers also instruct visitors on how to pose safely with the long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) to avoid scratches or bites.

Staff regularly broadcast reminders via loudspeakers urging tourists not to disturb the monkeys. Warning signs have also been posted throughout the site. There are approximately 700 monkeys living in the Sangeh Monkey Forest.

Tourist Hamdani, visiting from Probolinggo in East Java, admitted he was initially worried about being scratched or bitten on his first visit to a monkey forest.

A monkey even chased him because it was eyeing the food he was carrying. "One monkey even climbed onto my shoulder," said the 21-year-old.

His fears subsided thanks to the DTW staff who regularly patrol and monitor visitors. "As long as you follow their instructions, you won't need to worry about being bitten or scratched by the monkeys," said Hamdani.