Bali Monkeys Making Headlines for Stealing Tourists’ Valuables in Exchange for Food
Visitors to Bali’s famous Uluwatu Temple have found themselves part of an unusual and cheeky interaction with the local wildlife. Long-tailed macaque monkeys inhabiting the temple grounds have reportedly developed a habit of stealing tourists’ personal items—including smartphones, wallets, and sunglasses—and holding them ransom for food.
Clever Macaques at Uluwatu Temple
The Uluwatu Temple, a sacred Hindu site perched on cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean, is home to around 600 of these macaques. Revered by many locals as spiritual guardians, these primates have been exhibiting sophisticated behaviors that blur the line between animal mischief and calculated negotiation.
According to reports, including detailed observations from primate researchers, the monkeys don’t just steal randomly. They appear to recognize the value humans place on certain objects, deliberately targeting high-value items such as mobile phones and eyeglasses while ignoring less valued belongings like hair clips and hats.
A Well-Organized Monkey ‘Business’
The macaques have effectively engineered what some describe as a “criminal enterprise” or “scam,” as they seize possessions from unsuspecting tourists and then wait for “monkey handlers” or "pawang" to offer food rewards in exchange for the return of the stolen goods. These handlers frequently use fruit to coax the monkeys into relinquishing the valuables.
Monkey handler Ketut Ariana has revealed that the primates steal anywhere from five to ten smartphones daily. Thefts are common enough that monkey mitigation efforts at the temple have become a routine part of managing tourist interactions.
One tourist, Jonathan Hammé from London, commented on the situation, saying, “The monkeys have taken over the temple. They’re running a scam.” Another visitor, Taylor Utley from Kentucky, recounted a personal encounter where a monkey snatched her phone directly from her hand. A monkey handler had to repeatedly present bags of fruit before the primate finally gave up the device.
Attempts to Curb the Behavior
Efforts to curtail this thieving behavior have included organizing different feeding schedules and providing alternative food sources to the monkeys, but these measures have reportedly been ineffective. Kadek Ari Astawa, coordinator of the monkey handlers, noted that when the temple first opened to tourists, visitors were sometimes permitted to feed the monkeys. However, restrictions were later imposed to prevent direct feeding by tourists.
Since then, the stealing of tourist belongings has increased, perhaps as an adaptive response by the macaques to secure food from humans.
Tourist Caution Advised
The growing notoriety of these clever primates serves as a reminder for visitors to keep valuables securely stored and maintain vigilance while exploring Bali’s iconic sites. While the macaques are a fascinating part of the Bali experience, their nascent “operation” at Uluwatu Temple highlights the complex interactions between wildlife and tourism.
As Bali continues to welcome thousands of visitors to this picturesque temple each year, the dynamic between tourist and monkey remains a unique and sometimes challenging aspect of the island’s cultural landscape.
Add a comment