A recent investigation has revealed that turtles, a macaque, and other wild animals are being kept in poor conditions at a Bali tourist facility that claims to be involved in conservation efforts.
Conservation photojournalist Aaron Gekoski conducted the investigation at the request of World Animal Protection Australia, focusing on Bali Fantasi Benoa Bay. He documented the conditions of the animals, including Johnny, a macaque who appeared visibly thin and was seen pacing and biting the wire of his small cage.
Gekoski also reported seeing turtles kept in shallow, dirty, and crowded concrete pools and tanks, just a short distance from the ocean. Rare birds, reptiles, and a civet were observed in bare enclosures.
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This is not the first time concerns have been raised about Bali Fantasi Benoa Bay. World Animal Protection assessed the facility in 2017 and 2023, giving it an animal welfare score of 2 out of 10 on both occasions, classified as “severely inadequate”.
During the 2023 investigation, World Animal Protection counted around 40 turtles, including critically endangered hawksbill turtles and endangered green turtles. Investigators found large turtles kept together in small tanks, with one enclosure of around 20 square meters holding 17 turtles. Despite these concerns, Bali Fantasi remains officially connected to turtle conservation, listed as a partner on the website of Bali’s conservation authority, BKSDA Bali.
Bali’s tourism industry attracts millions of visitors annually, often featuring wildlife experiences. World Animal Protection’s investigation examined 34 wildlife tourism venues across Bali and Lombok, finding over 1,300 wild animals used in these attractions.
