Wildlife Lovers Can Spot Critically Endangered Species In Bali Tourism Village

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Indonesia is home to some of the rarest wildlife on earth. From tigers to rhinos to elephants and orangutans, the tropical forests of Indonesia are famous for being some of the most biodiverse and threatened landscapes on earth.

For tourists visiting Bali, intensive conservation efforts mean that it is now possible to encounter one of the rarest birds on earth. 

The Bali Starling, also known as the Bali Myna or more locally as Jalak Bali, is a beautiful white bird with a striking electric blue eye and black-tipped tail.

The Bali Starling is listed as critically endangered on the CITES index, and population counts in 2020 revealed that fewer than 50 adults existed in the wild.

Though there are intensive efforts around the world to ensure that the Bali Starling does not go extinct in captivity, efforts by conservationists in Indonesia are starting to have a positive impact on the remaining wild population. 

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Indonesia-based NGO NGO Friends of Nature, People, and Forest has been working for years to help bring the Bali Starling back from the brink of extinction. Intensive conservation efforts have been underway in Nusa Penida and West Bali National Park.

Now more local communities in Bali are supporting conservation efforts and are starting to see incredible results for wildlife.

In Banjar Tingkihkerep, Tengkudak Village, in Tabanan Regency, not too far away from iconic landmarks like Tanah Lot Temple and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, the Bali Starling is starting to make a comeback thanks to ancient village rules. 

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The Head of Tengkudak Village, Nyoman Oka Tridadi, spoke to reporters about how traditional Balinese village management structures are helping to support wildlife and the environment.

Tridadi explained that community members are obliged by customary law to plant two trees for every tree they cut down. He shared “If there are residents, even from outside the hamlet, who cut down trees, they must plant two trees. Especially those that can be food for Bali starlings.”

He added, “The people here really have a high spirit in protecting animals and their surrounding environment.”

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Project Manager for the NGO Friends of Nature, People and Forest (FNPF), Made Sugiarta, spoke to reporters about the bird’s comeback and how tourists can support conservation efforts and be in with a chance to encounter the rare bird for themselves.

He revealed that after careful consideration Tengkudak Village was chosen as a community partner for the organisation due to their commitment to conservation and also interest in community-based eco-tourism initiatives.

Tengkudak Village is now affectionally referred to as Kampung Jalak Bali which translates to mean the Village of the Bali Starling.

Sugiarta explained, “This Bali Starling Village is not just a tourist spot, but an education-based conservation area. However, what is still lacking is an information space. So tourists do not really understand the character or development of the Bali starling here.”

Community members from Tengkudak Village, are working with the team from Friends of Nature, People, and Forest as well as officers from the Bali Province Conservation Office and academics from Udayana University in Denpasar to develop an engaging community-based conservation project with eco-tourism elements. 

There are hopes that as the Bali Starling Project in Tengkudak Village continues to thrive for the birds, the community, and tourists this will eventually be just one of many such havens for the province’s most famous feathered icon.

The Head of the Penebel Sub-District Office, which oversees Tengkudak Village, spoke to reporters about plans to roll out the program in more destinations across Tabanan Regency.

Putu Agus Hendra Manik Mastawa told reporters, “Jatiluwih Village is the icon of Penebel. Well, the surrounding villages, such as Tengkudak, can be buffers. Moreover, Kampung Jalak Bali has a very interesting and environmentally friendly concept.”

He hopes that the conservation project can help boost interest in eco-tourism and agro-tourism initiatives in the area, including projects that showcase to tourists the process of coffee cultivation, durian, honey, and beekeeping, as well as religious tourism, to strengthen the appeal of the Penebel area of Tabanan Regency as a whole.