Is it safe to feed wild monkeys in Bali?

One traveler warns that feeding monkeys is risky: they're major rabies carriers in the tropics, and monkey bites/scratches are a common reason tourists end up needing medical care.

Another commenter downplays the risk: rabies doesn't spread within a troop (if one monkey is infected, the rest aren't), and the realistic worst case is scabies. The key advice is not to grab a monkey by the tail — just feed calmly from your hand or toss fruit toward them.

Practical tip: bring nuts and fruit along your route — wild monkey families are often encountered and will eat calmly right out of your hand.