Mysterious Drones Spark Livestock Theft Fears in Tabanan's Marga District

Residents in several areas of Marga District, Tabanan, have recently been disturbed by the appearance of a drone flying at night and into the early hours. According to eyewitnesses, the drone has been seen several times circling residential and livestock areas until around 1.00 a.m. local time.

Residents who keep pigs and small-scale fighting cocks are concerned that the drone’s presence may be connected to theft. In recent years, livestock theft has occurred frequently in several parts of Marga District.

One resident in Marga said the drone was first spotted by locals on Monday (3/8) in the Banjar Pinge area of Baru Village. Residents admitted to feeling anxious and have chosen to keep watch at night for fear of livestock theft.

“Several residents, especially those who keep pigs and chickens, are certainly worried — they have been staying up late. Moreover, fighting cocks in this area have often gone missing,” said a livestock owner who asked not to be named, on Wednesday (5/8/2026).

According to him, the mysterious drone has often been seen in the Banjar Pinge, Banjar Baru and Banjar Susut areas of Baru Village. One resident even claimed to have seen the drone circling during the day while in the rice fields.

According to residents, the loss of household livestock, particularly fighting cocks, is not a new problem in Marga. There have been previous thefts in which an average of five to ten chickens disappeared at the same time.

“That happened around two to three months ago. Now that a drone has appeared, people are even more suspicious and worried. If the drone were for official purposes, there would usually be notification to the village through village officials. There has been no notification, so residents suspect the drone is unauthorised,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marga District Head Gede Putu Adhi Putra Adiksa, when contacted, said he had also heard the information from his residents. On Monday night in the Banjar Baru area, a drone was flying from around 11.00 p.m. to midnight local time. The following day it was also seen in Banjar Pinge.

“That is correct, the information is as reported, and residents are also on alert. Especially since many keep fighting cocks on a household scale. Not large numbers, just two to four birds,” said Adiksa.

Following this incident, his office is immediately coordinating with the police to reduce residents’ anxiety.

Meanwhile, Marga Police Chief AKP I Nyoman Sudarma said that so far there have been no reports from the public regarding the appearance of the suspected unauthorised drone. Nevertheless, he has ordered his officers to go into the field to investigate.

“There have been no reports to us about the drone. But regarding the posts on social media, our officers have conducted an investigation and further information will be conveyed later,” Sudarma concluded.