A 19-year-old British tourist on holiday in Bali has recounted the moment a cheeky monkey snatched his mobile phone and proceeded to take a series of selfies and a video, including a risqué picture featuring the primate's nipples. Oliver Lloyd, from Shropshire, was visiting the Uluwatu Temple in Pecatu, South Kuta, when the incident occurred. The temple is renowned for its large population of long-tailed macaques known for their bold interactions with visitors.
Phone Snatched in Seconds
Lloyd explained that he was photographing the monkeys to share with friends. 'I put my phone down towards my pocket for a second and heard my girlfriend shouting my name. They snatched my phone straight out of my hand,' he told reporters. The monkey then disappeared into the forest along the cliff edge, leaving Lloyd and his girlfriend searching among hundreds of macaques with the help of temple guards.
Tracking the Thief
Using the Life360 tracking app on his girlfriend's phone, the couple managed to locate the device. A temple guard ventured into the scrub to retrieve the phone from the monkey among the treacherous rocks. Once recovered, Lloyd's girlfriend joked about what the monkey might have done. 'Imagine if the monkeys have taken selfies on your phone,' she said. When Lloyd checked, he discovered the monkey had taken multiple selfies and a lengthy video. 'He's got his nipples in as well,' Lloyd added.
Monkeys as Temple Guardians
Monkeys in Bali are considered temple guardians, believed to scare away bad spirits. They are highly intelligent and have learned that stealing items like sunglasses, phones, and jewellery can be traded for food. Tourists are advised not to touch the monkeys or allow them to climb on them, as rabies and other viruses like Monkey B Virus are present. Emergency medical attention is recommended if a scratch or bite occurs.
