Dr. Nyoman Arya Dharma, Head of the Animal Health Center for Gianyar Regency, has spoken out about the ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of rabies in Bali. He explained that while the government is investing significant resources into rabies control, responsibility also lies with local communities and tourists to minimize risk.

"Controlling the monkey population can help reduce the risk of spreading rabies," Dr. Dharma said. "Similarly, controlling other wild animal populations is crucial."

He urged tourists to strictly follow guidelines when visiting monkey forests, emphasizing that visitors should not touch, feed, or attempt to interact closely with monkeys. Even seemingly harmless activities like taking close-up photos can increase the risk of bites or scratches, potentially leading to rabies exposure.

"If bitten by a monkey or any wild animal, people must immediately seek medical help," Dr. Dharma added, advising that any wound should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and running water before medical treatment.

Bali’s most famous monkey sanctuary, the Ubud Monkey Forest, maintains strict health protocols to protect both the animals and visitors. The attraction has never recorded a case of rabies among its monkeys since opening in 1960.

According to Ubud Monkey Forest management, any monkey found dead without an obvious cause is immediately sent to the Bali Animal Disease Investigation Center for rabies testing, following advice from Udayana University's Primate Research Center. They confirmed, "All rabies tests conducted so far have returned negative results."

The sanctuary also conducts an annual mass sterilization program to help control the monkey population and assess the health of each animal. In the unlikely event of a scratch or bite, the on-site medical clinic is available to assist visitors immediately.

While Ubud Monkey Forest remains the most popular destination for observing Bali’s long-tailed macaques, the island recently welcomed a new attraction: Kemenuh Monkey River. Located in Sukawati District, just 20 minutes from central Ubud, the park opened on April 12 and offers visitors the chance to observe not only macaques but also rare white monkeys and flying foxes.

Kemenuh Monkey River is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, with last entry at 5 PM. Special promotional tickets are priced at IDR 80,000 for adults and IDR 40,000 for children.

Tourists are reminded that while monkey forests are magical places to visit, respecting the animals’ space and following official guidelines is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.