In the non-breeding season,
the population spreads to the edge of open forest and savanna in the southern part of
Prapat Agung Peninsula. The ideal habitat for Bali Starlings was the vegetation that
existed in the 1920s, which included dry savannah and shrub forest through to high and
dense forest, but this ideal habitat has already been greatly depleted. Because the Bali
Starling is very dependent on a secure habitat, even the slightest changes can be
threatening.
 Some experts are concerned that the
planned construction of the bridge connecting Java and Bali could threaten the Bali
Starling further. The proposed building site requires a wide section of land, and is also
close to the core area of the Bali Starling habitat. Made Nurbawa, an environmental
observer from the Manikaya Kauci Foundation, has emphasised that; “It is very urgent
to save the habitat of the Bali Starling to protect it from extinction.”
Cooperative care
In an effort to save the habitat, the involvement of communities around the
Starlings’ natural environment is crucial. Local communities must not only work
together to protect the Bali Starling from theft, but also find a ways to cater for the
needs of the people who depend upon the forest for survival without threatening the
natural environment.
Sumber Kelampok Village has provided a strong example of commitment to
the Bali Starling cause. This village socially punishes any villager who has been proved
to be a Bali Starling thief, and the punishment is strict: any offenders are banished from
the village.
M. Jatim, the village chief, has said that his village members have already taken part in
actively securing the return of a Bali Starling, and were successful in catching the
thief.
Nurbawa has identified the additional need for reforestation along the
border of Taman National Bali Barat forest and the inhabited settlement area. Artificial
forest is located on the border of the National Park, and 13m towards the inhabited area
is planted with productive crops. “In this way, people really can live side by side
with the forest without being destructive.”
After the problems of direct human interference and a change in habitat, food and water
supplies are also priority problems, especially when the dry season comes. The Forest
board must supply food and water pouches to the Starlings to ensure their supply is
adequate, and an artificial water system is also being installed to provide a continued
source. Most of the Bali Starling’s foods are cereal crops and invertebrate animals.
The main invertebrates are caterpillars from the Geoimetridae family, and the birds
usually enjoy these in the first week after hatching.
Another obstacle to the survival of the species is the general lack of
awareness about the bird’s sensitivity to a change of habitat. It is, therefore,
important to inform the public about the habits and needs of Bali Starlings to ensure
their natural habitat is protected.
A cooperative agreement with Germany has recently helped to increase
general levels of awareness. Donations are now being utilised for observations,
exhibitions, and education programs.
There is no specific data about the average age of a Bali Starling. It
has been recorded that a starling raised in the breeding area reached 18 years of age, and
many of the senior employees of West Bali National Park have said that they have never
come across any dead starling corpses in the natural habitat. Predators in the natural
habitat include Eagles (Elanus Caeruleus) and Falcons (Falco Peregrinus), as well as
reptiles such as snakes and salamander (varanus salvator).
The priority: Protection
Initial information about the attempts to protect Bali Starlings from
extinction was recorded in the Red Data Book of IUCN in 1966. By that stage the Bali
Starling had already been classified as an extinct species. Then, in 1970, information
about the Bali Starling was itemised in Appendix 1 CITES. Based on the criterion of new
IUCN, the Bali Starling is now categorised as critical. Since then, the bird has been
protected by government regulations. Violations of the law will result in either a 100
million rupiah fine or 5 years jail.
The Bali Starling attracts many foreign tourists, especially bird
watchers and nature lovers. Bali Starlings in the West Bali National Park have been
protected from the potential harm of tourism activities through a regulation issued in
1990 designed to restrict the number of visitors entering the area where the birds live.
This rare species needs continued consideration and protection to avoid
possible extinction. It will be a sad end to the story if someday we can no longer enjoy
the beauty and uniqueness of this animal. It will, on the other hand, be wonderful if some
day we can see a group of Bali Starlings flying happily by, in the environment where they
belong. Fly birds, fly... the future can be yours.
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