Australian girl bitten by Bali monkey prompts travel cost and rabies risk warnings

An Australian schoolgirl required a life-saving rabies vaccination after being bitten on the neck by a Balinese long-tailed macaque during a family visit to the Ubud Monkey Forest, authorities said. The incident occurred earlier this month at one of Bali’s most popular attractions, where hundreds of visitors mingle with resident monkeys.

Lorena McDonald, 12, was in Bali with her parents when the attack happened. According to her mother, Flavia McDonald, the monkey jumped from an adjacent area and bit her daughter on the neck within seconds. The family said they had followed park guidelines—no bags, no water bottles, no food—but the animal still leapt onto Lorena and attacked her. A second monkey reportedly jumped toward Lorena’s father, before the encounter quickly escalated.

After the bite, Lorena was rushed to a local clinic for treatment. Her mother described the experience as extraordinarily stressful as they searched for a facility capable of administering the rabies vaccine. The family ultimately paid about 60 million Indonesian rupiah, roughly AUD 6,000, for the vaccination and related care. They are now waiting to learn whether their travel insurance will reimburse the costs.

Officials note that the Ubud Monkey Forest is home to more than 1,200 long-tailed macaques, and the site has a history of aggressive encounters with visitors. The forest’s management has long advised guests not to approach or feed the animals, and to keep belongings secure to avoid attracting a monkey’s attention. In one widely cited prior incident, Melbourne photographer Patrizia Accoglienza was bitten in 2019 when a monkey attached itself to her backpack and subsequently bit her neck; she later reported paying about USD 6,000 in medical bills, albeit with insurance reimbursement.

The McDonalds’ experience underscores the broader risks associated with encounters with wildlife in Bali. The Forest’s official notices reiterate that monkeys typically avoid humans who do not offer food, and they caution visitors against making physical contact, feeding the animals, or displaying easily accessible food sources. The family’s account also reflects the reality that travel medicine costs can be significant even when insurers cover part of the bill, and it highlights the importance of understanding what is and isn’t covered by travel insurance.

Beyond the immediate medical costs, the episode raises questions about rabies risk on the island. Bali remains listed as a rabies risk zone, and travelers are advised to consider pre-travel vaccination if they plan to spend time in areas where contact with animals is possible. Smartraveller, Australia’s travel advisory service, warns travelers to avoid direct contact with dogs and other animals, including monkeys and bats, and notes that rabies treatment options in Indonesia may be limited. Vaccination availability can vary, and in some cases individuals who are bitten may need to return to Australia or seek treatment in another country where the vaccine and immunoglobulin are accessible.

Flavia McDonald told news outlets that the immediate priority was Lorena’s safety and rapid access to rabies vaccination, but she emphasized the ongoing concern about the financial burden. She urged fellow Australians planning travel to Bali and other rabies-endemic regions to prepare for potential medical costs and to review insurance policies closely before departure. The family said they would monitor Lorena for any signs of infection or adverse reaction and would follow up with local health authorities for guidance on additional doses if required.

The Ubud Monkey Forest remains a major draw for tourists, who come away with a mix of memorable photos and cautions about wildlife. The incident serves as a reminder that even in well-trafficked cultural sites, encounters with wild animals can be unpredictable. Authorities and park operators continue to advocate for restraint and awareness, reinforcing that the safest approach is to observe the animals from a distance, secure belongings, and rely on trained staff for any intercession.

As Lorena recovers, her family’s experience will likely influence ongoing conversations about travel safety and medical preparedness for visitors to Indonesia. With rabies vaccination at issue and the potential for substantial medical bills, the episode adds to a growing discourse among travelers, insurers, and health officials about how best to mitigate risk in popular destinations where wildlife and tourism intersect.