Bali Residents Increasingly Surrender Long-Tailed Macaques to BKSDA

The people of Bali who keep wild long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) have started handing the animals over to the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) this year. Head of BKSDA Bali Ratna Hendratmoko in Denpasar on Monday said this public awareness emerged after the Bali Provincial Government issued Circular Letter of the Governor of Bali Number 19 of 2025, which prohibits residents from keeping long-tailed macaques to reduce the risk of rabies, prevent zoonosis, and protect the conservation of wildlife in nature. “The Governor has signed the circular letter not to keep long-tailed macaques; the only one who has signed a circular letter related to this ban is the Governor of Bali,” Hendratmoko said. BKSDA Bali recorded that from late 2025 to mid-2026, a total of 16 long-tailed macaques have been surrendered by the public to the agency. BKSDA Bali then carries out rehabilitation and release to maintain the existence of these animals. Hendratmoko explained that the protection of this wildlife is carried out to safeguard animal welfare, especially as Bali is a tourism region famous for its nature. There are also cultural values and local wisdom that Bali preserves, with these animals serving as symbols. Although the long-tailed macaque is not a protected species, he said, it is listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning it is a wild animal not yet threatened with extinction but whose population could be endangered if trade is not strictly controlled. “This is also related to how we maintain Bali’s reputation as an international tourist destination, because there are many shows featuring long-tailed macaques on social media that do not comply with animal welfare principles,” he stated. Hendratmoko urged Bali residents who still keep long-tailed macaques without a permit to promptly surrender them to BKSDA Bali. If the owner still wishes to keep the animal, the agency will also facilitate this with a strict permit, including a written statement that the long-tailed macaque will not be exhibited to the public and that the animal’s welfare will be ensured.