Management of Sangeh Monkey Forest tourist attraction still maintains the monkey habitat which becomes the main attraction. Even though tourist visits have significantly decreased during the Covid-19 pandemic, monkey food is mandatory. On that account, the management made various efforts to keep the quadruped alive. “We always keep these monkeys alive and tame. Besides, we are very aware that these cute monkeys are the main attraction aside from the nutmeg trees and other local animals,” said the Operations Manager, Made Mohon, on Saturday (Nov. 21).

The monkey food consists of various types, such as cassava posing the staple food. Besides, there are bananas, bread, and sometimes rice. Within a day, the management prepares 200 kg of cassava and 2 baskets of bananas. If there are no bananas, they can replace it with two sacks of bread. Hundreds of monkeys eat two times a day. In the morning, they eat cassava, while in the afternoon they eat bananas and sometimes bread or rice. “The monkey food is procured by buying it from local people. The management buys from the residents of Sangeh, so it becomes a fortune for farmers. On average, the management buys monkey food of around IDR 15 million each month,” he added.

The management is very aware that the monkeys will be healthy if the environment is clean and healthy, too. In addition to sufficient food, the management also provides clean water, so that the monkeys are not disturbed. Although it does not specifically prepare a veterinarian, if a monkey is sick or something required in relation to the monkey, the management will report it to the Badung Animal Husbandry Service. “We are working with the Badung Government in dealing with sick monkeys. Thankfully, so far there have been no sick monkeys,” said this former hotel employee.

To maintain the health and comfort of tourists, the management has also implemented health protocols that refer to government regulations. In the tourist attraction area, hand washing stations have been prepared scattered in the object area. Tourists who will enter the object area are required to wash their hands. Similarly, after leaving the object, they also wash their hands. In addition, tourists are required to take a temperature check in the lobby. They are encouraged to clean their hands with a hand sanitizer. “It is also mandatory for the officers and object employees to create a sense of security and comfort,” he explained.

Officers are also equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as hand gloves and masks. “During this pandemic, the number of tourist visits is uncertain. The visit was made by many local Balinese and domestic tourists. For foreign tourists, the number is very minimal. Hopefully, this pandemic situation will soon pass, so that tourists can return to explore this Sangeh Monkey Forest,” concluded Mohon. (BTN/015)