15 Bali Mynas Released into the Wild in Tabanan
Fifteen Bali mynas (Leucopsar rothschildi), also known locally as curik Bali, were released into the wild in Penebel District, Tabanan, on Friday (16 October 2026). The endemic birds were released at two locations: 13 at Kampoeng Jalak Bali in Banjar Tingkih Kerep, Tengkudak village, and two at Besi Kalung Temple in Babahan village.
Ratna Hendratmoko, head of the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Bali), said the 13 birds released at Kampoeng Jalak Bali were donated by the Begawan Foundation. The donation followed the expiry of the foundation’s breeding permit, which was not renewed.
The 13 birds were handed over to BKSDA Bali after the permit was not renewed. The agency then transferred them to the Friends of Nature, People, and Forest (FNPF) Foundation for release.
Kampoeng Jalak Bali was selected following a habitat assessment by an ornithology team from Udayana University (Unud). The area has also hosted previous releases.
“In 2024 and 2025, the FNPF Foundation and BKSDA Bali released a total of 64 adult birds,” Hendratmoko said.
The two Bali mynas released near Besi Kalung Temple had been confiscated. A resident had trapped them in Jatiluwih village in August 2025.
Hendratmoko said the resident had trapped the birds to keep them at home, rather than to sell them. As the Bali myna is a protected species, the case was resolved through restorative justice involving the village administration, the customary village, police, BKSDA and the FNPF Foundation.
“The person was not part of an illegal wildlife-trading network. The birds were intended for personal keeping. However, the person was required to undergo Guru Piduka as a form of spiritual apology,” Hendratmoko explained.
Hendratmoko said the release formed part of efforts to conserve wildlife and strengthen cooperation between the government, conservation organisations, communities and customary villages to protect Bali mynas. The public was also encouraged to report activities that could threaten the protected species.
FNPF founder I Gede Nyoman Bayu Wirayudha said the wild Bali myna population, particularly in Penebel District, had reached hundreds. The population at Kampoeng Jalak Bali alone was estimated at 140–150.
The endemic birds are also beginning to spread to several villages, including Tengkudak, Babahan and Jatiluwih. Bayu said captive-bred birds are released once they are 11–12 months old.
“Captive-bred birds are released when they reach 11–12 months of age,” Bayu said.
The release is expected to bolster Bali myna numbers in their natural habitat and sustain conservation efforts for the endemic species.
In addition to Tabanan, the FNPF Foundation has carried out releases in almost every regency in Bali. These efforts are intended to ensure that Bali mynas remain protected and become established across the island.