JAKARTA ~

Various efforts have been undertaken to save the Bali Starling birds, locally known as Jalak Bali, from extinction.

The critically endangered Jalak Bali species only exists in the Bali Barat National Park (TNBB) and is protected under the Indonesian law.

Jalak Bali, also known as Bali Mynah or Leucopsar Rothschildi in Latin, is an exotic bird species from Bali and one of the most endangered species in the world.

They have been threatened by illegal poaching and the reduction of natural forests on the Indonesian island resort of Bali.

Accordingly, the Bali Mynah Conservation Association or Asosiasi Pelestari Curik Bali (APCB) Chairman Tony Sumampow remarked in Gianyar, Bali, on Wednesday that they had been working hard to prevent the extinction of these beautiful creatures.

Sumampow noted that the white plumage, the black wings, and the blue area around the eyes have drawn the attention of caged-bird traders as the price for a single bird can reach tens of millions of rupiah.

He noted that the Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF) had established a sanctuary on the Nusa Penida group of islands with the cooperation of the local communities to save the birds from being poached.

“Now, the population of the birds in their habitat at the Nusa Penida island groups is over 100, or increasing from fewer than the surviving 10 in 2006 when the FNPF bird conservation project began,” Sumampow pointed out.

He noted that the FNPF is cooperating with the villagers in the Nusa Penida island groups to enforce traditional laws that govern daily life due to which the Bali Starling and other native birds are now protected from poachers and wildlife traders.

According to him, Japan’s Yokohama city administration and the Indonesian government are cooperating to conserve the Bali starling by donating the birds for release at the Bali Barat National Park.

“This cooperation will last for three years, from 2015 to 2017,” the Bali Mynah Conservation Association chairman said in Yogyakarta some time ago.

Sumampow affirmed that the cooperation is in its second stage, after it was established three years ago.

In the meantime, Director of Conservation and Biodiversity (KKH) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Bambang Dahono Aji noted that the success achieved in the conservation of Bali starling can serve as a role model of success for wildlife conservation in Indonesia.

“The success of Bali starling in-situ and ex-situ conversations is a success story of endemic wildlife conservation in Indonesia,” he emphasized.

Aji stated that the success of Bali starling conservation is apparent by the increase in the population of these birds, which were previously on the brink of extinction in their natural habitat in TNBB.

“In 2005, the population of Bali starling in the national park was only five, and now, there are more than 100 birds, and at least 40 Bali starlings have even been released in the wild,” he said, adding that the Yokohama city administration remains committed to assist in the conservation of Bali starling in their natural habitat.

The Bali starling is a medium-large bird measuring 25 centimeters.

It is almost entirely white with a long, drooping crest, black wing-tips and tail tip. It has a yellow bill with blue bare skin around the eyes and legs.

In January 2012, the Bali Safari & Marine Park (BSMP) established cooperation with PT Garuda Indonesia to conserve the Bali Starling, according to Indonesian Safari Park President Director Jansen Manansang.

Jansen remarked at the time that the cooperation was formalized by the signing of a an agreement by him and PT Garuda Indonesia public and human resources director Heriyanto AP at the Bali Safari & Marine Park in Gianyar district.

According to him, the cooperation with PT Garuda Indonesia was part of an effort to keep and protect the population of Jalak Bali, the only endemic vertebrate species in Bali island.

Featured on Indonesian Rp200 coins, the bird was discovered in 1910, and in 1991 was designated as the symbol of Bali.

“Therefore, the existence of Jalak Bali is very important as the island’s regional mascot which is critically endangered,” Jansen said, adding that the bird should be saved from extinction.

He said that efforts to save the Bali Starling from extinction had been made since 2006 with a plan to breed the bird but it was rejected by an international party that would fund the project.

But after learning that the proliferation efforts would have a positive impact on the bird`s population, the international party finally understood it.

“Our objective to breed the Bali Starlings is to eventually release them into their natural habitat in order to save them from extinction,” Jansen said.

Meanwhile, Heriyanto AP said the Jalak Bali conservation cooperation program was a manifestation of PT Garuda Indonesia’s concern for the preservation of endangered species and their environments.

“Besides, we also call on all parties to participate in the Jalak Bali conservation effort,” Heryanto said, adding that the cooperation was not with BSMP only but also with other national parks in Central Kalimantan and Yogyakarta.