All You Need To Know About Ubud Monkey Forest
Ubud Monkey Forest is one of the Bali Tourist Attractions located in heart of Ubud Village. This interest places the most famous tourist destination in Ubud and the most visited by domestic and foreign tourists.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Ubud Bali
Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve temple complex in Ubud Bali. Its full name as written on a welcome sign is the Padangtegal Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. The complex houses approximately 340 (Macaca fascicularis) monkeys (32 adult males, 19 male sub-adult, 77 adult females, 122 juveniles, and 54 infants). Crab-eating Macaque
Ubud Monkey Forest is a small rainforest dwelt by some groups of monkeys and other tropical animals. It is strategically located in the heart of Ubud Village. Monkey Forests in the Balinese language called Wanara Wana are spread out on the island and Ubud Monkey Forest itself owns an essential function in the continuity of the monkey habitat in Bali. Meanwhile, the local community owns an important role to keep this forest natural for all wild animals able to live smoothly.
Location Bali Ubud Monkey Forest
The sacred sanctuary of Monkey Forest is located on the southern border of Ubud town around 3 km south of central town with a leading road also with the name of Monkey Forest. The site can be reached from many sides besides the central town of Ubud, from the eastern corner of Ubud, and the southern area of Ubud. The distance from Kuta is around 55 km, from Sanur around 40 km, and the Nusa Dua area around 65 km. Interesting places nearby Ubud Monkey Forest such as; Ubud Royal Palace and Ubud Traditional Art Market.
The Wanara Wana
Wanara Wana is the name of the monkey forest in the Sanskrit language, as the language ever influenced the layers of the religious and ruling class of the Indonesian archipelago before the fall of Islam, and only Bali strongly maintains the tradition.
It is essential to treat the monkeys with respect as this forest is their home and you are a guest in it. Please remain on the paved paths. The monkeys may become aggressive if you invade their private areas Wanara Wana staff and researchers may occasionally be seen in this area please do not follow them.
It can often be seen how the Balinese Macaques are cracking open coconuts. If available they like to eat bananas and papayas, too. Once taken please leave the fruit with the monkeys. If you wish to feed the macaques please do so carefully, and if they take food from you, please do not attempt to retrieve it back. It is also of great importance that you treat the trees, the plants, and other animals and structures within the Sacred Monkey Forest with great respect.
This is a holy area and important ecological preservation. please enjoy the beauty and magic of this place. while at the same time respecting what lives in it. If you have any questions or if you should need assistance, please asked the Wenara Wana personnel (identified by their green uniforms) or a member of the research project.
Tri Hita Karana Thought
By Balinese Hindu thought, peace and liberty are obtainable in our life only when we respect and observe the three harmonious relationships known as the Tri Hita Karana with the following advice:
- The Gods bless life and created nature and all of its entities
- Nature provide sustainable support to the need of living beings
- Human beings as the highest being must preserve mother nature which was in the past only a religious approach could operate before more reasons could take over the role.
Based on an analysis of a manuscript called Pura Purana ( meaning the history of a Pura ) which is considered a holy writing the temple was built around the 14th century during the reign of kings with the palace in the Pejeng area. If this assumption is taken the establishment of the temple would be before 1343 AD, not at the beginning of Gelgel Palace which is far behind around the 17th century. There are three temples in The Sacred Monkey Forest namely :
- Pura Dalem Agung is located at the southwestern corner of the main forest area. This temple is the most prominent in Monkey Forest
- The Holy Bathing Temple is located down steps close to the water stream. This temple is divided into 3 courtyards ( mandalas ) with pools.
- The Prajapati temple with a cemetery is located at the southernmost of the area.
Balinese Macaques at Ubud Monkey Forest
The monkeys that live in this sanctuary are called Balinese macaques, also known as long-tail macaques. Their scientific name is Macaca fascicularis and aside from humans, macaques are the most widespread and successful of all primates.
About 300 macaques currently reside in the monkey forest. There are approximately 35 adult males, 95 adult females, and 170 young. These macaques live primarily in three clusters of females and males. Each of these groups tends to use different areas of the forest at different times of the day. All macaques use all of the forests. Conflicts sometimes arise when two groups are in the same area. Adult males weight up to 8 to 10 kgs and have large canine teeth, broad shoulders, and facial hair that resembles a mustache. The adult females are smaller than the males ( 4-8 kgs ) and have long facial hair resembling beads. Balinese macaques group is centered around groups of related females called “matriline” Male macaques usually migrate in from other areas and attempt to associate themselves with the female matriline Both males and females, have an st dominant relationship, but they are not always clear or consistent.
Mating can take place all year round but most infants are born during the months of May-August. Macaques mothers range from very protective to very permissive with their infants. Many females who are not mothers spend time holding and caring for infants. Sometimes you will even see an adult male “mothering” as well.
Research and Conservation Ubud Monkey Forest
The Sacred Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary serves not only as an important component in the spiritual and daily life of the villagers but is the site of several research and conservation programs. The maintenance and management of a special place like this attract the attention of researchers from all over the world, especially the interaction between human beings and the monkeys of this sacred place are subject to surveys and research studies.
Ubud Monkey Forest is one of the famous tourist destinations on Bali Island, this interesting place is most visited by local and foreign tourists every day. All Bali Full Day Trips or Bali Half Day Tour Packages include this attraction on the tours itineraries such;
