39 rare birds stolen from zoo

DENPASAR, Bali: A gang of armed robbers stole on Sunday 39 protected starlings locally known as Jalak Bali from a bird breeding cage at the West Bali National Park in Grogak subdistrict, Buleleng, about 140 kilometers northwest of here.

The robbers, armed with sharp weapons and homemade bombs, also stole a Medzone rifle and 15 bullets from forest police, before handcuffing the park's four guards inside the cage.

Bali Police have deployed two teams to hunt down the suspects, the provincial police spokesman Lt. Col. Y. Suyatmo said on Monday.

"After two deafening blasts, the park's guards had yet to find their feet when they were suddenly ambushed by a gang of robbers," Suyatmo said.

Jalak Bali or leucopar rothschildi is a rare species with a street value of Rp 10 million per bird.

The bird's export and trade is forbidden under Law No.5/1990 on Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna or Cites.

According to the Birdlife Indonesia Foundation, up to May this year only 14 Jalak Bali were free in the West Bali National Park, while 75 others were placed in a breeding cage. (zen/edt)