Sacred Sanctuary Monkey Forest
In 2011, approximately 605 Balinese long talied monkey (Macaca fascicularis) which is consist of 39 adult males, 38 male sub-adults, 194 adult females, 243 juveniles, and 91 infants lived in the Ubud Monkey Forest. The park staff feeds the monkeys sweet potatoes, corns, cucumber or other tropical fruits three time a day. Although bananas were once for sale in the park for tourists wishing to feed the monkeys, due to the monkeys becoming too fat and aggressive, tourists are now prohibited to do it. Visitors are also prohibited from feeding them snacks such as peanuts, cookies, biscuits, and bread as monkey might sick after eat it.
After few years, Ubud Monkey Forest is a famous tourist attraction in Ubud. Every month, around 10,000–15,000 visitors come to Ubud Monkey Forest. The Ubud Monkey Forest has 186 species of plants and trees in 12.5 hectares of forest. The Ubud Monkey Forest has 3 temples, there are Dalem Agung Padangtegal Temple, Holy Spring Temple, and Prajapati Temple. The forest is owned by the Padangtegal community and is managed by Mandala Suci Wenara Wana Management. The purpose of the management is to preserve the sacred place and promote the Ubud Monkey Forest as an international tourist destination.
The Ubud Monkey Forest describes its mission as the conservation of the area within its boundaries according to the Hindu principle of Tri Hata Karana (“Three ways to achieve spiritual and physical well-being”), which seeks to make people live harmoniously during their lives . The “three ways” to this goal under the Tri Hata Karana believe are harmonious relationships between humans and humans, between humans and the natural environment, and between humans and The Supreme God. According to that, the Monkey Forest has a philosophical goal of creating peace and harmony for visitors from all over the world. It also seeks to conserve rare plants and animals for use in Hindu rituals and to provide a natural laboratory for educational institutions, with a particular emphasis on research into the social interaction of the park’s monkeys with one another and their interaction with the park’s natural environment.
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Since several years ago, the management of the sacred monkey forest has stopped visitors from feeding the monkeys in any form for the comfort of the monkeys and the visitors themselves.
To replace the attraction of feeding monkeys, the management now provides a way to interact with monkeys which is even more entertaining for tourists.
With the help of monkey forest staff, visitors can take photos with monkeys in an unusual way. assisted by the staff, certain monkeys that the staff think are safe for this activity, will be led to sit next to visitors or on their laps. that way, while feeding the monkey and taking a photo when the monkey tries to take the food from the staff’s hand, you will create a photo as if the monkey is taking the photo. what an amazing idea!
The Sanctuary Guidelines
The Monkey Forest guidelines
1. Do not panic and run
If the monkeys jump on you, please drops any food and walk away
slowly. They will soon jump off.
2. Please do not look the monkeys in the eye
3. Do not bring or hide any food or drink
4. Do not bring any of plastic/paper bag
5. Please take care your valuable belongings
Entrance ticket is available from 9 am until 5 pm. The selfie ticket is separate inside the sanctuary. It will be available depend on monkeys circumstances.