Owl Burned Alive in East Nusa Tenggara Goes Viral, Three Suspects Arrested

A group of residents who tortured and burned an owl alive has drawn widespread condemnation on social media. The cruel act against the owl took place near Kampung Bajak, Benteng Ndope Village, Pacar District, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on 7 August 2026 at around 8.00 pm local time.

One of the perpetrators uploaded a video of the owl burning to a social media account on 8 August 2026 at around 9.30 am local time. The post on the Facebook account Lenggeleongwasedeko subsequently went viral and triggered widespread criticism from netizens.

The video was reposted by the wildlife education account @doniherdarutona on the morning of 11 August 2026, drawing national public attention. In the video footage seen by detikBali, one of the perpetrators stretches out the owl’s wings. Behind him, a bonfire of firewood is burning.

Another perpetrator then strikes the owl on the head, causing it pain. Not stopping there, the owl is then brought close to the bonfire and burned alive.

The quick reaction team (URC) of Resmob Komodo, part of the Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) of the West Manggarai Police, has arrested three people in connection with the burning of the owl. They were arrested on Tuesday afternoon (11/8/2026).

“The URC Resmob Komodo team has detained three men suspected of carrying out the heinous act of burning a live owl. This firm action was taken after the video recording of the act suddenly went viral and sparked widespread public condemnation on social media,” said West Manggarai Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head AKP Lufthi Darmawan Aditya on Wednesday (12/8/2026).

The three people arrested are GJ (30), who acted as the executor of the owl’s capture and beating; SB (41), who recorded the video and owns the social media account; and VJ (25), who carried out the burning of the animal.

“All three are residents of Kampung Bajak, Benteng Ndope Village, Pacar District, West Manggarai,” said Lufthi.

Police have seized a number of items as evidence, including a mobile phone used to record and upload the video, a small wooden stick used to beat the owl, and residual ash material from the burning at the scene.

The three suspects are now being held at the West Manggarai Police station for further legal proceedings.