A 12-year-old girl sustained serious injuries in 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, is now advocating for enhanced safety measures for children and cautioning visitors to the island.
Following the attack, Lorena incurred a substantial medical bill of $6,000 (£2,930) for her hospital treatment. Consequently, her family had to cover the expenses to ensure her care. The young girl was at the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary with her family when the monkeys unexpectedly turned aggressive, causing severe harm that necessitated immediate medical attention.
In an interview with News.com.au, Flavia explained that despite adhering to all safety guidelines, the monkeys targeted her family. She recounted how a monkey leaped from her husband to her daughter, leading to the distressing bite on Lorena’s neck. To prevent the risk of rabies, Lorena urgently required a vaccination, which ended up costing the family an exorbitant amount of 60 million Indonesian rupiah, equivalent to £2,930.
In light of the incident, Lorena’s family is hopeful that their holiday insurance will cover the medical expenses. However, the emotional impact of the attack has left Flavia urging travelers to ensure they are vaccinated before embarking on overseas trips. She also advised tourists to exercise caution while visiting Bali, a popular destination that attracts numerous visitors annually.
This incident is not isolated, as Lorena joins a list of individuals attacked by the Balinese long-tailed monkeys, predominantly found in the Ubud Monkey Forest. In a similar occurrence in 2019, photographer Patrizia Accoglienza was bitten by a monkey at the sanctuary, resulting in a severe injury and substantial medical costs. Patrizia, like Lorena, was fortunate to have her travel insurance cover the expenses.
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