Moment monkeys chained around the neck are forced to do tricks for tourists in Indonesia - with tiny animals seen walking on stilts and riding motorbikes

By OLIVIA ALLHUSEN, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:05, 21 May 2026 | Updated: 20:14, 21 May 2026 Disturbing footage has revealed how monkeys in Indonesia are being cruelly forced to perform painful tricks for tourists.  Their torment includes being made to walk on stilts, ride toy motorbikes and dance in front of crowds - with chains around their necks.  In one clip, a monkey falls from a miniature motorbike and tries to run away before his handler yanks him back by a chain around his neck, forcing him to climb on again. Another shows one of the animals staggering on stilts, appearing visibly distressed. At one point, the monkey leans backwards in an apparent attempt to resist as his trainer drags him forward.  The animal is later thrown a hat, which he instinctively places on his head - a trick he has no doubt been forced to repeat countless times. Even when the monkeys are not performing, they are chained to metal poles or kept in cramped, dark boxes.  Last month, 46 monkeys rescued from the training centre in Cirebon in 2024 were released back into the wild after spending 18 months at JAAN's rehabilitation site, where they received medical treatment and were taught survival skills.  Among them were seven-year-old Jono and three-year-old Unyil. Jono had been forced to walk on stilts, one of the most painful and difficult tricks for macaques, as well as ride bikes and push a wooden barrel.  Disturbing footage has revealed how monkeys in Indonesia are being cruelly forced to perform painful tricks for tourists. Pictured: Jono  Disturbing footage reveals how monkeys in Indonesia are being cruelly forced to perform painful tricks for tourists. Pictured: One of the monkeys rescued from a training centre Last month, 46 monkeys rescued from the training centre in Cirebon in 2024 were released back into the wild after spending 18 months at JAAN's rehabilitation centre, where they received medical treatment and were taught survival skills. Pictured: Jono at Cirebon Among them were seven-year-old Jono and three-year-old Unyil. Pictured: Jono before he was rescued Like many monkeys exploited for dancing, his teeth had been clipped, leaving him with severe dental problems and an infection that spread to his nasal passage and ear canal. Researchers said Jono was initially calm and quietly followed them with his eyes after arriving at the rehabilitation centre.  He quickly developed a love of food, especially bananas and mangoes, and would eat every last bite. Unyil was stolen from his mother as a baby and witnessed her being killed during his capture.  He was then forced into captivity, where he was made to stand upright, wear clothes, hold a bucket to beg for money and perform degrading tricks, including walking on stilts, playing dead and assuming prayer positions.  After 14 months of forced performances, Unyil arrived at the rehabilitation centre underweight and terrified. He would scream whenever he saw people and was too frightened to interact with other monkeys.  But rescuers said he has since become a social and mischievous macaque who enjoys sweet fruits, especially watermelon.  Footage shows the pair taking their first steps into freedom on the protected Indonesian island of Nasu Burang.  Jono showed great confidence and disappeared into the dense forest moments after his transport crate was opened - something rescuers said suggested he could become an alpha male in his new group.  Unyil was more hesitant, carefully inspecting his surroundings before climbing into the forest and taking one last look back at his rescuers.  The pair were later seen settling into their new environment, with Jono relaxing alongside other monkeys while Unyil ate fruit he had found in the jungle.  The monkeys were released on the protected Indonesian island of Nasu Burang, 38km off the coast of Java.  Pictured: A closeup photo of Jono after he was released on the  Indonesian island of Nasu Burang Pictured: Jono peers out of his carrier as he is transported to the island  Transporting the macaques to the remote forest was a major logistical challenge. Animal rescuers first ferried them to the island by small boat before carrying crates containing the monkeys on their backs during a gruelling four-kilometre trek through dense tropical forest Managed in partnership with the Indonesian government, the island is covered in tropical forest and mangroves and has no human settlements, making it an ideal habitat.  They were first placed in a temporary habituation enclosure - a large netted natural area designed to help them gradually adapt to life in the wild.  Researchers from JAAN continue to monitor them to ensure they can successfully find food before giving them access to the rest of the island.  Transporting the macaques to the remote forest was a major logistical challenge. Animal rescuers first ferried them to the island by small boat before carrying crates containing the monkeys on their backs during a gruelling four-kilometre trek through dense tropical forest.  The Cirebon centre was Indonesia's last remaining dancing monkey training facility and was dismantled with support from local authorities. However, campaigners warned that the exploitation of monkeys for entertainment remains widespread.  Dr Jan Schmidt-Burbach, Director of Wildlife Research and Veterinary Expertise at World Animal Protection, said: 'Jono and Unyil will finally be able to live their lives where they belong, in the wild, with their new family.  'Our partners Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) and local authorities have made great progress in stamping out the dancing monkey trade across much of Indonesia over the last 15 years.  'Sadly, macaques continue to be widely exploited for tourism. We look forward to the day when we can celebrate a nationwide ban on dancing monkeys.'  The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.