Bali Starling was one of the endangered species as stated by BirdLife International for the decreasing of their amount from time to time. However Bayu Wirayudha, an environmentalist and the animal devotee that has shown interest for birds since his childhood, came to the rescue.

In 2004, Bayu visited the Nusa Penida island. An island that had at least 9 villages with local regulation that protected endemic birds. The local community evidently had a special memory of their childhood with the chirping of birds that always filled the air around their village. Inspired by this fact, Bayu then began his efforts in creating a conservation area in the middle of a populated island. With the local community's love for this rare species, Bayu then felt more self-confident to begin the "love bird" campaign through various methods of entertaining people while at the same time educating them about his purposes. Till 2006, the entire village in Nusa Penida then applied the local regulation (awig-awig) that protected the population of Bali Starling.

During 2005, around 90 Bali Starling was released in Nusa Penida to be given the diet to adapt with the food kind in the local habitat and self adaptation to anticipate the predator in the local environment. However Bayu’s idea received resistance from other conservation organizations that considered Bayu endangered Bali starling by moving them from their original habitat. Nevertheless, Bayu stayed obstinate that these birds could –as in the case of other living creatures– survived in any environment as long as they could adapt well with their new environment.

Tracing from its history, it appeared that Bali Starling could be found all over the Bali island territory. But because they were often pursued to be sold or used for a religious ritual need, these birds then hid in the area of trees. The forest that became an asylum for Bali Starling remaining up to this day is the area that now becomes West Bali National Park. This is why, in this period, Bali starling mostly could only be found in this area.

It was currently proven that the population of Bali Starling could survive and breed well in their new habitat. Bayu then received the Kalpataru award nomination (the appreciation of the environment) on the success of his efforts.

Nevertheless, Bali Starling could not breathe easy yet. Because of its scarcity, this species still becomes the hunter's dark target. But, if you are interested in helping the Bali Starling conservation in Nusa Penida, contact the Friends of the National Parks Foundation, at Jalan Bisma No. 3, (0361) 977-978.


Courtesy of Bali and Beyond, www.baliandbeyond.co.id