Buleleng Education Department Adds Security After Monkey Attacks Pupil at School

Buleleng’s Education, Youth and Sports Department (Disdikpora) is preparing several security measures after a pupil at SD Negeri 2 Wanagiri was attacked and bitten by a monkey at school. Wire fencing will be installed on parts of the school building that are easily reached by groups of monkeys.

Disdikpora head Ida Bagus Gde Surya Bharata said the measures were needed to prevent monkeys from entering the school grounds again. One step is to close off open sections of the building that are frequently invaded by groups of monkeys.

“Wire fencing will be added to the building currently undergoing renovation, particularly above the ceiling, which the monkeys often use as a base,” Surya Bharata said on Thursday (8 October 2026).

In addition to installing wire fencing, Disdikpora is considering placing security staff at the school, as the rear of the grounds remains open and unfenced.

“The building is rather open. There is no fence at the back of the school, although there is one at the front,” he said.

Surya Bharata said security staff were needed to anticipate the monkeys appearing at any time. A forest believed to be their habitat lies directly opposite the school.

“Monkeys can come at any time, and there is no way to predict when. So we cannot rely solely on barricades or metal barriers to keep them away,” he said.

Earlier, a pupil at SD Negeri 2 Wanagiri in Sukasada district, Buleleng, Bali, was attacked by a monkey while heading to the toilet on school grounds. The nine-year-old, named Gusti Kopang Merta Wijaya, sustained injuries to his hand and waist.

The incident occurred at around 1pm local time on Wednesday (7 October). A monkey suddenly approached and attacked the Year 3 pupil as he was on his way to the school toilet.

After the incident, he received medical treatment and an anti-rabies vaccine (VAR). He also needed two stitches for the monkey bite.