Protected Pangolin Found on Anturan Beach Handed Over to Bali BKSDA

A Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), a protected wild animal, was found in the Anturan Beach area of Buleleng District. The animal was evacuated by officers of the Buleleng Police Water and Air Police Unit (Satpolairud) together with residents before being handed over to the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Centre (BKSDA).

The pangolin was found by residents on Tuesday (4 August 2026), alive and in good health. Upon receiving the public report, personnel from the Anturan Satpolairud Post immediately went to the location to secure the animal so that it would not become a target of hunting or illegal trade.

A day later, on Wednesday (5 August 2026), the Buleleng Police Satpolairud handed the pangolin over to the BKSDA Buleleng Sector Office on Parikesit Street, Banjar Tegal Subdistrict. The animal will subsequently undergo identification, a health examination and care before being released back into its natural habitat.

The Head of Public Relations at Buleleng Police, Inspector Yohana Rosalina Diaz, said the rescue of the pangolin was proof of the importance of collaboration between the community, the police and BKSDA in protecting wild animals.

“Buleleng Police appreciates the public’s concern in promptly reporting the presence of a protected wild animal to officers. Synergy like this is essential to ensure that protected animals can be saved and returned to their habitat,” Yohana said on Wednesday (5 August 2026).

Yohana reminded the public not to capture, keep or sell protected animals. According to her, any sighting of wild animals should be reported immediately to the police or BKSDA so that it can be handled according to procedure.

“We urge the public not to capture, keep or sell protected animals, but rather to coordinate immediately with the authorities or BKSDA if they find one,” she stressed.

During the handover process, BKSDA Bali also drew up and signed an official report as the formal document acknowledging receipt of the animal. The pangolin will receive further care before being released in accordance with applicable conservation regulations.

The Sunda pangolin is one of the protected mammals in Indonesia. This anteater, which feeds on ants and termites, is frequently targeted by illegal trade, putting its wild population under constant pressure. As such, the discovery and rescue of the animal is regarded as important in supporting biodiversity conservation efforts.