Today, 40
Bali starlings, also known as Bali myna birds, were released into the wild from
the Bali Safari and Marine Park conservation in Gianyar regency. The species,
usually called Jalak or Curik Bali in Indonesian, is native
to the island and one of its most iconic mascots.
Bali
starlings are
identified by their white feathers, black wings and tail
tips, unique blue marks around their eyes, and long, spiky feathers on the tops
of their heads.
The
release ceremony was led by Bali Vice Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana, Bali
Police Deputy Chief I Gede Alit Widana, West Bali National Park head Agus
Ngurah Krisna, and the head of Bali Starling Preservation Association (APBC),
Tony Sumampouw.
Tony said
the 40 Bali starlings were obtained from Japanese and European animal
associations in 2017. During captivity, the birds were trained to fly into the
wild.
“The
monitoring team will observe them in the morning and evening to see their situation
in the wild. We’ll monitor them for three years, until they’re ready to breed,”
Tony said today, as quoted
by Kumparan.
The Bali
starling is listed as critically endangered by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Conservation
officials in Bali say that, apart from natural factors, poaching of these birds
has driven them close to extinction. Captured Bali starlings are usually sold
for IDR15-20 million (US$1,056-1,408) each in the illegal wildlife blackmarket.
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