{"id":1563,"date":"2025-11-28T18:58:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T10:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heybali.info\/news\/?p=1563"},"modified":"2025-11-28T18:58:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T10:58:15","slug":"bali-monkey-ownership-rules-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heybali.info\/news\/bali-monkey-ownership-rules-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"New Rules on Pet Monkeys: What International Visitors and Expats in Bali Need to Know in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bali monkey ownership rules 2025 <\/strong>– Bali has introduced a new policy with direct implications for residents, expats, digital nomads, and long-term visitors: a provincial ban on keeping Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) as pets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regulation was formalized through Gubernatorial Circular No. 19\/2025<\/strong>, signed on 26 November 2025<\/strong>, following growing concerns about public safety, animal welfare, and zoonotic disease risks. The decision also responds to escalating conflicts between humans and macaques in several parts of the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is a clear breakdown of what the new rule means, why it matters, and how it affects anyone living in or visiting Bali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Long-Tailed Macaques Are No Longer Allowed as Pets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Long-Tailed Macaque, known locally as Monyet Ekor Panjang<\/em> (MEP), is not a protected species under Indonesian law. However, it is listed under CITES Appendix II<\/strong>, meaning international trade must be tightly regulated due to the risk of population decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Macaques are rabies-transmitting animals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They fall under the category of Hewan Penular Rabies<\/em> (HPR) and can transmit several zoonotic diseases between animals and humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Keeping macaques as pets causes health and safety risks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities report aggressive behavior, bites, and escape incidents in several districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Private ownership creates ecological imbalance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Removing macaques from their natural groups tends to trigger disturbances in population behavior in forested areas such as Ubud, Uluwatu, and Alas Kedaton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Bali wants to preserve its global image as an ethical tourism destination<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials are increasingly concerned about social-media posts showing mistreated or chained macaques, which conflict with Bali\u2019s cultural values and global reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Tourist attractions need better population management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popular sites like Monkey Forest, Uluwatu, and Alas Kedaton are now required to increase supervision and regulate visitor interaction to minimize injuries and aggressive encounters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why This Matters for Expats and Long-Term Visitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Governor\u2019s circular explicitly encourages all individuals living in Bali\u2014including foreign residents\u2014NOT to keep macaques as pets<\/strong>. Although many cases in the past involved local households, authorities have observed growing interest among foreigners adopting or rescuing macaques unofficially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This circular clarifies that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n