There are indeed many monkeys on the streets of Bali, particularly in the Ubud area and the West Bali region. These monkeys often take to the streets in search of food, even scavenging from passing vehicles. This behaviour stems from the habit of some motorists feeding the monkeys, leading to an increasing number of monkeys appearing on the roads.
This situation, however, poses a danger to the monkey population, as they are at risk of being struck by vehicles. A touching scene, shared in a video on the Instagram account @nastyafitt via @ubud.info, shows an act of kindness amidst this concerning trend.
The video captures a stranger helping a confused monkey on the side of a busy Balinese road to cross safely. The monkey had been standing still, waiting, as the road was quite congested with motorbikes and cars.
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The stranger’s action was widely praised, with the caption “Only in Bali” suggesting that kindness should extend not only to humans but also to animals.
In Bali, the monkey population is quite large, resulting in them often living side by side with humans, particularly in both natural habitats and urban areas. Beyond the streets, these monkeys can also be found in forests such as the Ubud and Sangeh Monkey Forests.
Despite a prohibition on feeding animals in the West Bali National Park (TNBB) area, many individuals still feed the animals, especially the long-tailed macaques.
As a result, the monkeys have become dependent on humans and may become more aggressive when not fed. More worryingly, they often roam onto public roads, and many fall victim to traffic accidents.
As reported by RadarBali, the Head of the TNBB Centre, Agus Ngurah Krisna Kepakisan, stated that his office has erected warning signs to discourage the public from feeding the animals. Officers frequently patrol and encounter people feeding the monkeys.
Due to this persistent behaviour, monkeys gather each morning, waiting by the roadside for the generosity of locals. At specific times, they anticipate being fed, and standing near the road — an action that too often results in fatalities from oncoming vehicles.
“There is no natural dependency between animals and humans. But because residents have developed the habit of feeding them, monkeys now wait expectantly. Even though food is available in the forest,” he explained.
Areas and Tourist Attractions in Bali Inhabited by Monkeys
For tourists seeking a unique holiday experience, several destinations in Bali are home to large populations of monkeys. Below are some recommended sites:
Monkey Forest Ubud
Monkey Forest Ubud is a major tourist draw, with significant value both culturally and economically. It holds historical importance within Balinese culture.
Alas Kedaton
Also known as Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, this popular destination spans around 6.5 hectares and is frequently visited by tourists.
Sangeh Monkey Forest
This sacred forest, home to hundreds of monkeys, also houses two temples. In addition to its primate inhabitants, Sangeh Monkey Forest boasts rows of nutmeg trees and 54 species of flora, including buni, sandpaper, and yellow cempaka.
