In the Sangeh Monkey Forest, new warning signs have appeared saying “Please Don’t Touch the Monkeys” with an Indonesian translation: “Dilarang menyentuh monyet”.
A representative of the administration, Pujawan, noted that monkeys, even in tourist areas, remain wild animals, so touching them is strictly prohibited. Staff explain the rules of conduct to visitors, but fully monitoring tourists throughout the area is difficult.
Similar reminders are in place at other popular spots on the island. For instance, the Uluwatu Temple, on its official Instagram account, also asks visitors not to touch the monkeys and shares the belief that they are the guardians of the sanctuary, protecting it from evil spirits. The animals are known for their cunning behavior: they steal items to trade for food, love shiny objects, and can open bottles or food packages.
Despite the prohibitions, more than 20 incidents of tourists coming into contact with monkeys were recorded from January to September 2025. These incidents mostly involved scratches, but bites also occurred. Since these animals can carry rabies, all affected individuals are taken to the nearest center and vaccinated.
The Sangeh administration reminds that interaction with animals is strictly prohibited in all monkey forests and temples in Bali. Tourists are urged not to imitate violators but to report them to staff. This is important not only for people's safety but also for the animals themselves.
Monkeys behave unpredictably: their mood can quickly shift from calm to aggressive. Confrontation with a group of angry primates is dangerous and almost always ends with a trip to the hospital for a vaccine.
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