Bali Governor Wayan Koster has issued a province-wide ban on residents keeping long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) as pets. The policy is set out in Circular Letter (SE) Number 19 of 2025 on the advice against keeping long-tailed macaques, released on 27 November 2025.
The governor stated that the measure addresses concerns over wildlife protection, rabies transmission, and the increasing number of macaques entering residential areas.
Long-tailed macaques are listed under CITES Appendix II, which requires strict monitoring of their use and trade.
Koster said the regulation should also be reflected in village-level customary law.
“To the Balinese indigenous people, the appeal to prohibit the hunting of wild animals and the prohibition of keeping MEP (long-tailed macaques) should be outlined in the customary village regulations,” he wrote in the circular.
Residents currently keeping macaques have been instructed to hand the animals over to the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) for rehabilitation and care.
The ban also covers all masked monkey performances, which have been prohibited with immediate effect.
The circular calls for coordinated monitoring of trade in macaques at animal markets, animal shops, and inter-island transport points. Regional and village-level authorities have been asked to disseminate the policy to the public.
The Head of BKSDA Bali, Ratna Hendratmoko, said 30 macaques had already been surrendered by residents during 2025.
“The Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has collaborated with the Indonesian Animal Network Foundation and the Nature and Humanity Lovers Foundation to rehabilitate the long-tailed macaques handed over by the community,” she said.
Ratna added that macaques are not suitable as domestic pets and can endanger their owners.
“The issuance of this circular from the Governor of Bali represents a concrete step in the regional government’s support for wildlife protection in Bali Province,” she said.
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
Government Cites Overpopulation and Rising Human–Wildlife Conflict
The provincial government noted that long-tailed macaques remain an unprotected species under national law but fall under CITES supervision due to the risk of population decline if exploitation is not controlled.
The circular highlights that long-tailed macaques are also categorised as rabies-transmitting animals, presenting zoonotic risks when kept in households.
Authorities recorded an increase in residents privately keeping macaques across several districts. The government warned that this may contribute to human–wildlife conflict, public health concerns, and animal welfare issues.
The circular also refers to overpopulation in several established macaque habitats, including Batukau, Alas Kedaton, and Uluwatu. In these areas, macaque groups have been entering nearby residential zones in search of food, raising concern for both residents and the animals.
The circular instructs all government agencies, traditional institutions, universities, tourism operators, state-owned and regional-owned enterprises, and the wider public to comply with the ban.
Measures include stopping the keeping of macaques at homes or tourist facilities, ending monkey mask performances, and monitoring sales of macaques at markets.
Tourism operators have been encouraged to improve waste management, offer natural food sources where necessary, and follow established animal welfare standards. Villa and hotel owners located near macaque habitats have also been asked to support conflict-prevention measures.
The government emphasised the importance of maintaining and restoring natural habitats so that macaques remain within their territories. The circular is applicable across all districts and cities in Bali and is intended to provide a standard reference for wildlife protection efforts.
cover: Photo by Donald Tong_Pexels
Find this article helpful? Check out our other articles from Social Expat!
