Bali Residents Hand Over Long-tailed Macaques Following Ownership Ban
- 15 Jun 2026 18:03 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Bali residents are increasingly surrendering long-tailed macaques to BKSDA Bali following a provincial ban on private ownership.
- The trend follows the implementation of Governor’s Circular No. 19 of 2025, which prohibits keeping long-tailed macaques as pets.
RRI.CO.ID, Denpasar - A growing number of Bali residents are handing over long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) to the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) after a provincial circular banned private ownership. This shift reflects growing public awareness about disease risks, animal welfare, and the island’s tourism reputation.
Head of BKSDA Bali, Ratna Hendratmoko, said on Monday, 15 June 2026, that the change followed Governor’s Circular No. 19/2025. This regulation prohibits keeping long-tailed macaques to reduce rabies risk, prevent zoonotic transmission, and protect wild populations.
“The Governor has signed a circular not to keep long-tailed macaques, the only signatory of the circular related to that ban is the Governor of Bali,” said Ratna, as quoted by Antara.
BKSDA Bali recorded 16 macaques handed over by the public from late 2025 through mid-2026. The agency conducts rehabilitation and releases to safeguard the species in the wild.
“Since the circular was signed at the end of 2025, many people have handed over long-tailed macaques to us. At our office six are still undergoing rehabilitation, while 10 were handed over to JSI (Jaringan Satwa Indonesia), there is also a backlog there related to wildlife conflict,” she said.
Ratna emphasized that protecting the macaques serves animal welfare and preserves Bali’s natural and cultural values, noting the monkeys’ role in local traditions and the island’s tourism draw.
Although long-tailed macaques are not listed as a protected species, they appear in CITES Appendix II, meaning they are not currently endangered but could become threatened if trade is left unchecked. For that reason, BKSDA Bali enforces strict permitting to maintain regulatory integrity.
“This also relates to how we protect Bali’s reputation as an international tourist destination, because social media contains many performances of long-tailed macaques that do not comply with animal welfare principles,” she said.
Ratna urged residents who still keep macaques without permits to hand over them to BKSDA Bali. For owners who wish to continue keeping the animals, the agency can facilitate strict permits, including agreements not to display macaques publicly and commitments to ensure their welfare. ***
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