A pair of Canadian tourists experienced a troubling incident during their visit to the well-known Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali.
Despite repeated warnings to maintain a safe distance from the monkeys, one of the tourists disregarded the advice and ended up being bitten.
The incident was captured on video and shared on TikTok by Ms. Molly McMurray. The footage depicts Ms. Erica Mussini sitting on a step at the Monkey Forest in Ubud, engaging with two monkeys positioned nearby. Suddenly, a larger monkey from behind rushes towards her and bites her forearm.
Ms. McMurray later updated her TikTok followers in a subsequent post, explaining that they promptly sought medical assistance at a local clinic. Ms. Mussini received six injections and would undergo further medical examinations upon their return to Canada.
@molly__xoxo_ On aimait tellement les singles juste avant que.. 🐒🫢 @Ericamussini #ohnonononoo #monkeyforest #monkeyforestbali #ubud #ubudbali ♬ original sound – GLOSS
@molly__xoxo_ update monkey bite: we went to the clinic, 6 injections later she’s fine. We have to go back in a week and as soon as we return to Canada. She also has to take several medications a day. All this to prevent in case it would be more serious. 🫶🏼. #monkeyforestbali #monkeybites ♬ Don't Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
Other similar incidents
Another incident involving a monkey bite at the same attraction was documented on TikTok in March by Nicole Chen, a well-known content creator from Singapore, also known as Nicole Liel.
According to Ms. Chen, one of her travel companions had been “interacting with the monkeys… and petting them” when one of the monkeys bit her friend.
Upon returning to Singapore, her friend’s foot swelled due to the bite, necessitating ten rabies prevention injections as a precautionary measure.
The Monkey Forest’s website includes guidelines for visitors, emphasizing that physical contact or playing with the monkeys should be avoided to prevent potential bites.
In case of a monkey bite, visitors are advised to seek assistance at the Monkey Forest’s first-aid clinic, where clinic staff will provide wound cleaning with alcohol and antiseptic cream.
The website assures visitors that the monkeys within the sanctuary are not rabid and that their health is regularly monitored by researchers from the Primate Research Centre of Udayana University, located in Bali. Visitors are further reminded not to bring food or feed the monkeys during their visit to the attraction.