Tabanan, Bali — Friends of Nature, People, and Forest (FNPF), together with the local customary community and village authorities, successfully saved two bali starlings from an illegal poaching of Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) in the Subak Jatiluwih area, located near the FNPF Besikalung Wildlife Sanctuary, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at around 11:32 a.m. The Bali Starling is an endemic species with Critically Endangered status, protected under Indonesian law.
The incident began when a our team—consisting of Lintang, Ari, and a volunteer—was carrying out tree-planting activities on a plot of land in the Subak Jatiluwih area. Upon arrival, they discovered a cage-shaped trap placed in a tree containing two Bali Starlings and one Javan Myna, which was suspected to have been used as bait. The Bali Starlings were found to be in a stressed condition, with one sustaining an injury to its wing. The discovery was immediately reported to Jero Mangku Alit, FNPF’s public relations staff for Utu Village, who then contacted the pecalang (customary security) and local authorities.
Later that day, Jero Bendesa Adat Utu, head of Banjar Utu, met with local leaders and pecalang in an emergency meeting to discuss the case. They agreed that because the suspect was not a resident of Desa Adat Utu, the village could not give customary punishment. The case would be handed over to the police to be processed under national law.
The case was officially reported to the local police, and on August 7, 2025, the district police (Polres) conducted a site visit for a field inspection and collection of additional statements. The next stages will fall under the jurisdiction of Polres Tabanan, which will determine investigative steps, suspect designation, and prosecution. Evidence—including two Bali Starlings, one Javan Myna, one Black-winged Starling, two trap cages, and nylon rope—was handed over to FNPF and subsequently entrusted to the Bali Wildlife Rescue Center (Pusat Penyelamatan Satwa Tabanan) for intensive care. In accordance with procedure, the Bali Starlings serving as evidence will remain at the BWRC until the legal process is completed.
The local community firmly stated that the suspect must be punished according to the law. “The Bali Starling is a natural treasure that must be protected. We will not tolerate the hunting of this bird,” said a community representative.
FNPF calls on the public to actively participate in protecting the Bali Starling and to immediately report any hunting or trade of protected wildlife. This case serves as a reminder that wildlife protection is not only the responsibility of law enforcement but of all members of society.