THE INITIATIVE
From 1999, Begawan worked tirelessly to prevent the critically endangered Bali Starling from becoming extinct in the wild. Begawan supported and maintained a private breeding centre, providing animal care for the birds and sponsoring community outreach and environmental education programmes for children.
Community involvement
Gave locals economic benefits through a fostering program
Protection policy
Prohibited poaching of birds through Balinese customary law, Awig-Awig
Environmental education
Raised awareness for conservation in students of all ages
Species preservation
Aimed to increase the population of Bali Starlings in the wild
Saving the critically endangered Bali Starling through conservation
Responding to the immediate plight of the Bali Starling, Begawan pioneered a private conservation programme that aimed to restore the wild population through breeding and release, education, and protection. Every day without fail since the commencement of the breeding programme in 1999, the team at Begawan nurtured and reared a flock of critically endangered Bali Starlings in its breeding enclosures. The organisation’s efforts extended beyond the breeding centre, reaching local schools, government offices, wildlife parks, and rural villages across Bali.
OUR IMPACT
Readers may be interested in a number of documents that form part of our archive, written during our time breeding and releasing in Melinggih Kelod. The Conservation Manual, with its detailed information relating to the care of the Bali Starling was written by Begawan staff, and finalised in 2021. Prior to a release, habitat assessment takes place, and our document, Habitat Assessment of the Melinggih Kelod Village for the release of Bali Starlings, is a study from 2019 by volunteer students from the University of Hong Kong who assessed the village of Melinggjh Kelod’s suitability as a release site. After releases, monitoring is undertaken. Udayana Bali starlings and bird watching at Melinggih Kelod and Melinggih village details the results of bird watching and monitoring over a two-day period in 2019. The report, The Relationship between Vocal Communication and Pair Bond Strength in Bali Starling was based on observation at the breeding centre in 2018 by Auliya Indiarti Zenas part of her Anglia Ruskin University Master of Science degree submission. The poster Bali Mynah Project: Past, Present and Future was created by Sonja Luz, of Jurong Bird Park, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which supported Begawan from 2011 onwards. Each document shows the professionalism that defines the work done over the years by Begawan Foundation. Download these documents on Google Drive.
For a variety of activities undertaken during the years that Begawan has been active, see https://www.youtube.com/@begawanbali
"I think you are doing great work, because it’s now quite hard to see these critically endangered birds in the wild. So it’s a great opportunity to see it and you can learn about it here in Begawan."
Florian Grally, Visitor from France
"We are very impressed with the situation here, both Bali Starling conservation and regenerative farming. Hopefully in the future people will be more aware and educated to protect Bali Starlings so Bali Starlings can survive for a long time and not be categorised as critically endangered anymore."
Elisa Sunarto, PT. Pratama Karya Jaya
"Visiting the Bali Starling Reintroduction Facility on Bali is one of those heart-warming experiences. While I will always treasure the rare chance of being close to free-flying Bali Starlings, the walk through the rice fields to see their rehabilitation enclosures and their nest boxes was the real eye-opener. I sincerely congratulate the Foundation’s important and dedicated work."
Anthony Sebastian, Wildlife Ecologist and Conservation Planning Specialist
TAKE A TOUR
Explore our work in conservationfor the Bali Starling
Contribute to Begawan’s efforts to save the Bali Starling by booking a tour to learn more about Bali Starlings, and helping us to spread the word. Sign up for a half-day tour of our breeding centre and release site in Melinggih Kelod.
