Noel’s Rescue: A Second Chance for a Chained Macaque

Our latest rescue arrival - Noel

At Bali Monkey Rescue (BMR), every call for help is a chance to make a difference. Recently, we received a distressing message from a concerned passer-by near Legian Beach, Denpasar. They had spotted a monkey chained to a tree, exposed to the elements, and left there for an unknown amount of time. Seeing the suffering first-hand, they knew they had to act—and so did we.

Noel spent years chained to this tree

After a quick briefing, our rescue team set off on the 1.5-hour journey to reach the site. Dr. Jose, our dedicated veterinarian, prepared to meet the team there, ready to assess the monkey’s condition and provide medical support. Upon arrival, we gathered information from the locals and discovered that the monkey belonged to a woman who had kept him as a pet since he was a baby. Over the years, however, as he matured, he became more aggressive—especially towards children. As a result, the owner resorted to keeping him permanently chained to a tree, only taking him down occasionally for a bath.

As time passed, Noel’s aggression escalated, and he eventually bit the owner’s brother. From that point on, they never unchained him again. When we arrived, the owner agreed to surrender him, realizing that keeping him restrained like this was no longer an option and we needed to rescue this macaque.

With the owner’s permission, our team began assessing Noel’s condition. It quickly became clear that rescuing him by hand was impossible due to three major challenges:

1. He was highly aggressive and fearful.

2. The positioning of the chain made access difficult.

3. The chain around his neck was thick and extremely difficult to remove.

   
   

Given these factors, the team decided to use a blowpipe dart to safely sedate Noel. Once he was unconscious, we carefully brought him down and began the painstaking process of freeing him from the heavy metal chain. It was no easy task—removing it took several long, tense minutes.

Dr. Jose immediately stepped in to assess Noel’s health. He checked his heartbeat, monitored his vitals, and took a blood sample to further evaluate his condition. Though the process was stressful, Noel was finally free for the first time in years.

Noel's chain is cut whilst he is under sedation

Noel is now safe in our care, where he will receive the medical attention, rehabilitation, and support he needs to recover from years of captivity. His journey toward healing has just begun, but thanks to the vigilance of compassionate people and the dedication of our rescue team, he now has a chance at a life where he is no longer bound by chains.

Noel is now in our care and can begin his journey of healing