Top Bali Monkey Forest Attraction Enhances Tourist Security Measures After Tragic Incident
December 10, 2025 – The Sangeh Monkey Forest, one of Bali’s most popular tourist destinations located just outside central Ubud, is taking significant steps to improve visitor safety following a tragic accident last week. The incident resulted in the death of longtime staff member IB Nyoman Suamba, who was killed when a large tree fell within the forest and temple complex during extreme weather conditions. Another staff member sustained serious injuries.
Catastrophic Tree Falls During Severe Weather
On December 3rd, 2025, a severe storm caused more than 30 mature trees—some towering 50 meters tall with diameters reaching 1.5 meters—to collapse across the Sangeh Monkey Forest area. The Head of Abiansemal District, IB Putu Mas Arimbawa, revealed that the storm’s force was so intense it damaged nearly 80 percent of the temple grounds. The fallen trees created a domino effect, toppling one after another in rapid succession.
Eyewitness accounts shared by the management described a vortex-like wind phenomenon that contributed to the widespread destruction. IB Nyoman Suamba, 51, was tragically caught when a giant tree fell on a temple pavilion where he was working. Another staff member, 47-year-old Nyoman Rasna, suffered a broken arm due to the pavilion collapse.
“The incident happened in a matter of seconds,” Arimbawa said. “This tragedy is the worst we have seen in ten years at this site.”
Community in Mourning but Focused on Safety
The team at Sangeh Monkey Forest is still grieving the loss of their colleague as they prepare to reopen the attraction to visitors. Currently closed for recovery and safety upgrades, the forest is scheduled to reopen on December 11th, ahead of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday season.
Ida Bagus Gede Pujawan, Head of the Sangeh Tourism Object Management, emphasized the steps being taken to update safety protocols and disaster preparedness procedures. “We have longstanding Standard Operating Procedures, but after this event, we have enhanced them to better handle storms during the rainy season,” Pujawan explained.
Enhanced Safety Measures to Protect Visitors
One key change includes implementing a manual alarm system designed to promptly alert visitors in the event of sudden rain or dangerous weather. Previously, guests were evacuated only when it rained, but Pujawan highlighted that nutmeg trees in the forest grow sideways, causing their roots to anchor less deeply, which makes them vulnerable during storms.
“With this new system, if bad weather arises, guides will use a specific code to immediately notify guests to evacuate safely,” he said.
The management also plans to collaborate with the traditional village head to review and enforce additional regulations aimed at mitigating risks from falling trees and storm damage in the future.
Other Monkey Forest Attractions Remain Open
While Sangeh Monkey Forest undergoes repairs and updates, Bali’s other renowned monkey forest attractions, including the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest in Tabanan Regency, continue to welcome tourists safely.
Visitors planning trips to Bali are advised to stay informed of local news and safety updates, especially given the island’s seasonal weather fluctuations.
The Sangeh Monkey Forest tragedy stands as a somber reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the importance of rigorous safety precautions in tourist sites. The dedicated management’s proactive response aims to honor the memory of the lost staff member while ensuring a safer experience for all future guests.
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