A 12-year-old girl sustained severe injuries in a frightening encounter with wild monkeys, one of which bit her neck. Lorena McDonald, hailing from Sydney, Australia, was vacationing in Bali, Indonesia when the incident occurred. Her mother, Flavia, has called for enhanced safety measures for children and issued a caution to prospective visitors to the island.
Following the distressing incident, Lorena incurred a hefty medical bill of $6,000 (£2,930) after being promptly taken to the hospital. Consequently, her family had to bear the financial burden to cover the expenses.
The young girl was enjoying a day at the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary with her family when the monkeys suddenly attacked her, resulting in severe injuries that required immediate medical attention. Flavia recounted the incident, stating that despite following all safety guidelines, the monkeys targeted her daughter without provocation.
Flavia detailed that Lorena needed a crucial rabies vaccination to prevent any potential health risks after the monkey bite. However, when they located a medical facility with the necessary vaccines, they were shocked to discover the exorbitant cost of 60 million Indonesian rupiah, equivalent to around £2,930, for the treatment.
Due to Lorena’s injuries, her family is hopeful that their pre-purchased holiday insurance will cover the medical expenses. Nonetheless, the emotional toll of the attack has left Flavia distressed, emphasizing the importance of travelers ensuring they are adequately vaccinated before trips abroad.
Furthermore, she advised visitors to exercise caution while on the island, which attracts thousands of tourists annually. This incident adds to a series of similar attacks by the Balinese long-tailed monkeys, predominantly found in the Ubud Monkey Forest.
In a related incident in 2019, Melbourne photographer Patrizia Accoglienza was also attacked by a monkey at the sanctuary, sustaining a neck bite akin to Lorena’s ordeal. Patrizia shared her experience of the swift and shocking attack, highlighting the aggressive behavior of the monkeys.
Despite being treated at a hospital for the bite, Patrizia faced substantial medical expenses amounting to £3,900 ($8,000), which fortunately were covered by her travel insurance.