A 12-year-old girl sustained serious 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 harrowing incident occurred. Her mother, Flavia, is now advocating for enhanced child protection measures and cautioning prospective visitors to the island.
In a distressing turn of events, Lorena faced a hefty $6,000 medical bill following her hospitalization. Consequently, her family had to bear the financial burden to cover the expenses.
During a visit to the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary, the young girl found herself under attack by the monkeys, necessitating immediate medical attention for her severe injuries. Flavia, speaking to News.com.au, emphasized that despite adhering to all safety guidelines, the family was unexpectedly targeted by the aggressive primates.
Recounting the incident, Flavia described how a monkey swiftly bit Lorena on the neck without provocation, leading to the urgent need for a crucial rabies vaccination to avert potential health risks. The exorbitant cost of the treatment, totaling 60 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately £2,930), caught the family off guard.
In the wake of the ordeal, Lorena’s relatives are hopeful that their pre-travel holiday insurance will cover the medical expenses. However, the traumatic experience has left Flavia urging travelers to ensure they are adequately vaccinated before embarking on overseas trips.
Furthermore, she advised visitors to exercise caution while exploring the island, which draws thousands of tourists annually. This incident adds to a series of similar attacks by the Balinese long-tailed monkeys, primarily residing in the Ubud Monkey Forest.
Notably, in 2019, a Melbourne photographer named Patrizia Accoglienza encountered a similar monkey attack at the sanctuary, where an ape leaped onto her shoulder and bit her neck, mirroring Lorena’s terrifying ordeal. Patrizia, taken aback by the aggression, emphasized the need for vigilance around these animals.
Following the attack, Patrizia incurred substantial medical expenses amounting to £3,900 ($8,000), which were fortunately covered by her travel insurance.