No Monkeying Around – Family Vacation In Bali Turns Into Nightmare After Monkey Attack

Flavia McDonald and her family had set off from Sydney to Bali on what they assumed would be a relaxing Father’s Day holiday vacation. Unfortunately, a seemingly harmless visit to Ubud’s Monkey Forest Sanctuary would soon change that. Visiting as a family, the McDonalds were conscious of the need to stay safe during their time with the animals, but they were still not prepared for what would unfold.

The McDonald family visited the Monkey Forest Sanctuary for about 40 minutes before deciding to sit and watch the animals with other guests. A monkey suddenly leapt onto Mr. McDonald’s shoulders and from there onto their daughters back. The child was frozen with fear, unable to react, as the monkey pulled at her clothes and rummaged through her pockets. Seconds later, the monkey bit the child’s neck, tearing through the skin and drawing blood. The teen was left visibly shaken by the attack as Flavia “pretended to be calm” but admitted that she was “petrified” inside.

Monkey Forest Sanctuary staff washed the bite out with soap and water, before explaining to the family that rabies was not a problem because the monkeys were “clean”. Flavia, however, trusted her gut instincts that they had to do more and they went to a clinic to get more rabies vaccinations and anti-viral treatment for her daughter. The McDonalds breathed a sigh of relief that they were able to secure her child’s medical care, but they were hit with a surprise next… a hospital bill for the equivalent of $6,000 AUD. This was paid up front by the family, while they waited to hear if the insurance would cover the remainder.

For Flavia McDonald, the experience was a shocking event that underscored the risks that animals can pose in Bali. Since then, she has spoken publicly about her experience and the potential costs of such an attack. This is one more piece of travel planning for folks to be more careful around monkeys, or other animals, during trips to the region. She also suggests that she would have liked to be able to take pre-travel rabies vaccinations, but these are not always easy to come by in Bali. For now, tourists need to be prepared for the possibility of animal attacks when they travel to Bali, and to be as respectful of them as possible.