NTT Conservation Agency Responds to Three Men Burning an Owl Alive
The East Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA NTT) has condemned the actions of three men who tortured and burned an owl alive. The three residents of Kampung Bajak, Benteng Ndope Village, Pacar District, West Manggarai, had uploaded the reprehensible act to social media, where it went viral.
Police have arrested the three men, identified by the initials GJ (30), SB (41), and VJ (25).
“Acts of violence against wildlife cannot be justified. BBKSDA NTT expresses its concern and regret over the actions taken against the animal,” said Head of BBKSDA NTT, Adhi Nurul Hadi, in a written statement on Thursday (13/8/2026).
BBKSDA NTT is conducting further identification to determine the species of the bird. However, Adhi stressed that the Flores scops owl (Otus alfredi) is found in NTT. Its status is protected under Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number P.106 of 2018.
“This legal prohibition applies to everyone, whether the animal is alive or dead, including its body parts,” Adhi emphasised.
Regardless of its protection status, Adhi said that harming and committing violence against animals is an act that does not reflect respect for living creatures. Such actions are not in line with efforts to build a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.
“Wild animals are an important part of the ecosystem. The existence of each species has an ecological function that is interconnected in maintaining environmental balance,” Adhi stressed.
“BBKSDA NTT appreciates the steps taken by the Quick Reaction Unit (URC) of the Komodo Criminal Investigation Unit of the West Manggarai Police, which has arrested the three suspected perpetrators. BBKSDA NTT will coordinate with the West Manggarai Police regarding the handling of this owl abuse case,” he added.
The torture and burning of the owl took place around Kampung Bajak on 8 August. Their actions went viral on social media and drew condemnation from netizens.
The three people involved in the cruel act against the animal were arrested by police on Tuesday (11/8). In carrying out the act, GJ acted as the executor of the capture and beating of the owl.
SB acted as the video recorder and uploaded it to his social media account. Meanwhile, VJ was the executor of the owl’s burning.
The incident began when GJ saw an owl perched on a kitchen pole at SB’s house. GJ then called SB and VJ to capture the bird together and bring it to the front of a kiosk. It was then that they burned the owl alive.
It did not stop there. VJ then lit a fire and burned the owl, which was still alive, until it was reduced to ashes. During the abuse and burning, SB held a phone to record the entire scene.
SB uploaded the video of the owl burning to his social media account on 8 August. The post on the Facebook account Lenggeleongwasedeko then went viral and was reposted by several social media accounts.
The motive of the perpetrators was influenced by local mystical beliefs. The local community believes that the presence of an owl near a settlement is a bad omen. The owl is believed to be a symbol of black magic.
“From the initial examination, the suspected perpetrators admitted to acting on the basis of local myth or belief that the presence of an owl near a settlement is a bad omen or a symbol of black magic,” Lufthi revealed.