A 12-year-old girl sustained serious injuries during a frightening encounter with wild monkeys, one of which bit her on the neck. Lorena McDonald, a resident of 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 cautionary message to prospective visitors to the island.
In a distressing turn of events, Lorena was presented with a hefty $6,000 (£2,930) medical bill following her swift hospitalization. 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 playful outing took a terrifying turn as the monkeys launched an attack on her, resulting in severe injuries that necessitated immediate medical attention.
Speaking to News.com.au, Flavia shared that despite adhering to all safety guidelines, the monkeys unexpectedly targeted them without provocation. Describing the incident, she recounted how a monkey leaped from her husband’s shoulder onto her daughter’s, leading to the distressing neck bite within moments.
Flavia disclosed that Lorena urgently needed a rabies vaccination to ward off potential risks, as reported by the Daily Star. Despite locating a medical facility with the necessary vaccines in stock, she was astounded by the exorbitant cost of 60 million Indonesian rupiah, approximately £2,930, for the treatment.
In light of Lorena’s injuries, her family is hopeful that their pre-travel insurance will cover the incurred expenses. Nevertheless, the emotional toll of the attack has left Flavia deeply troubled, urging travelers to ensure they are properly vaccinated before embarking on overseas trips.
Furthermore, she advised visitors to remain vigilant while on the island, which sees a high influx of tourists annually. This incident adds Lorena to the list of individuals who have fallen victim to attacks by the Balinese long-tailed monkeys, mainly found in the Ubud Monkey Forest.
In a similar occurrence in 2019, Melbourne photographer Patrizia Accoglienza was attacked by a monkey at the sanctuary, sustaining a neck bite akin to Lorena’s ordeal. The incident caused significant bleeding, with Patrizia expressing surprise at the monkeys’ aggressive behavior. Despite receiving treatment at a hospital, she faced substantial medical expenses amounting to £3,900 ($8,000), which were fortunately covered by her travel insurance.
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