Top Bali Monkey Forest Attraction Focuses On Tourist Security Following Disaster

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The team at Sangeh Monkey Forest is still mourning the loss of colleague IB Nyoman Suamba, who was killed by a falling tree within the tourist attraction last week.

Following the disaster, the Head of the attraction has shared additional safety and danger mitigation efforts that are now in place. 

On Wednesday, 3rd December 2025, more than 30 mature trees fell within the Sangeh Monkey Forest tourism attraction and temple complex area. Sanegh Monkey Forest is located just outside of central Ubud and is gaining increasing attention from international and domestic tourists.

Speaking to reporters in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Head of Abiansemal District, IB Putu Mas Arimbawa, shared, “Due to the extreme weather, several trees measuring 50 meters high and 1.5 meters in diameter fell, throwing down almost 80 percent of the temple area.” 

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He confirmed that 51-year-old IB Nyoman Suamba was killed when a tree fell on one of the temple pavilions and that 47-year-old Nyoman Rasna, another member of staff at the attraction, had broken his arm when the building collapsed. He added, “They were both usually on duty watching the monkeys here, and suddenly there was a tornado. Ten years ago, there was an incident, but it was not as bad as this.”

A week on from the tragedy, and while the community is still in mourning for their colleague, serious steps are being taken to ensure no such incident can happen again. As the attraction remains closed to the public, Ida Bagus Gede Pujawan, Head of the Sangeh Tourism Object Management, told reporters that management aims to reopen the gates to tourists on Thursday, 11th December.

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Pujawan shared, “I’ve discussed it with the traditional village head and several travel agents. I’ve also informed my fellow guides that we’ll be closed for a week. We’ll reopen on December 11th for Christmas and New Year preparations. Hopefully, the area, especially accessibility, will be clear by then.”

Pujawan reiterated that Standard Operating Procedures have long been in place and that these regulations have now been updated further to ensure that the forest and tourist attraction area is better prepared for storms throughout the rainy season.

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He explained, “Previously, I had established a rule that if it rained, guests would be evacuated out of the forest. Because, considering the height of the trees and the characteristics of nutmeg tree roots, they grow sideways, so their roots don’t penetrate the ground.”

“So, going forward, we will have a manual alarm setup. If it rains or something, I will provide a code there, informing guests to evacuate, and they will be taken out immediately.”

He noted that last week’s tragedy was exacerbated by the domino effect of falling trees. Pujawan explained, “You could say that [last week’s] incident happened in a matter of seconds. The wind coming down from above created a vortex in the area, according to eyewitness accounts from my staff. At that moment, the trees fell one by one. They (the staff) were confused about where to go.”

He added, “The victim was about to run out, but then remembered he’d left his phone charger behind. He was about to go get it when a tree suddenly fell, causing the pavilion to collapse. He was crushed by the pavilion.”

Pujawan concluded, “Hopefully, going forward, we will learn from this disaster and create regulations, which I will review with the traditional village head.”

While Sangeh Monkey Forest remains closed for a few more days, Bali’s other leading Monkey Forest attractions remain open to the public. This includes the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest in Tabanan Regency.