About Us
Friends of National Park Foundation (FNPF) was founded in 1997 to protect Indonesia’s endangered wildlife, restore forests and help local communities. To do so, FNPF runs very effective rehabilitation programs which ensure that rescued and cage-bred animals can survive in the wild after release. This includes securing environments for wildlife by restoring/rebuilding habitat, and persuading local communities to protect them.
The FNPF’s bird rehab & release project on Nusa Penida (Bali) is internationally recognised for effectively saving the critically endangered Bali Myna (Leucopsar rothschildi) from extinction in the wild, and bringing back other endangered birds to Bali.
What We Do
The Bali Myna is probably the most beautiful of its family. Its beauty however, has made it a target for poaching. Following decades of global trafficking, the species has become one of the rarest birds in the world and may be facing extinction.
Bali Bird Sanctuary
The Bali Bird Sanctuary covers the Nusa Penida Islands group and is home to over a 100 Bali Starlings. The sanctuary has allowed the wild population to grow from fewer than 10 surviving birds when the FNPF bird conservation project first began in 2006.
FNPF, in cooperation with the Nusa Penida Islands villages, encourages the local community to apply traditional laws which protect the Bali Starling and other native birds within the sanctuary from poachers and wildlife traders.
The sanctuaries also serve as an eco-cultural tourism site, attracting both tourists and conservationists alike, thereby benefitting local communities.
FNPF is now working with regional government Klungkung Regency to declare the Bali Bird Sanctuary an officially protected zone under judicial law.
Bali Starling Conservation Program
Under the Bali Starling Conservation Program, Bird Keeping specialists are breeding the Bali Starling for wild release while also rehabilitating and releasing other ex-captive endemic bird species.
Bali Mynas are traditionally released to the wild at temple ceremonies. In preparation for a bird release ceremony, the FNPF Bird Keeper travels to each temple around the island collecting holy water which is used to bless each Bali Myna and spiritually binds the community to the birds. This ensures obligatory social and moral protection under traditional law. On release day, a priest conducts ceremonial prayer and blessings before the birds fly to freedom at local temples.
FNPF also places nest boxes high in temple trees to ensure the birds are provided added security in the temple grounds.
Habitat Restoration
Reforestation – a key conservation activity on Nusa Penida – is supported from the FNPF tree nursery, run by staff and volunteers. Together with local people, the island’s forests are regenerated in the wet season by replanting tens of thousands of native tree saplings each year.
FNPF staff and volunteers monitor every sapling planted for three years to ensure a minimum 70% survival rate. The reforested native trees, of ten or more different species, provides food and shelter for birdlife – including Bali Myna – reduces soil erosion, increases rainfall and provides economic benefits to the community.
Where We Work
Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia.
The Bali Bird Sanctuary, Nusa Penida, is a member of the Wildlife Land Trust’s network of sanctuaries. Established by Humane Society International (Australia), the trust protects more than 725,000 hectares of habitat worldwide, including sites in Australia, Canada, South Africa, the United States, Belize, and India.
Bali Bird Sanctuary and other FNPF Nusa Penida activities are run in partnership with the local community, Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry and local NGOs.
Photo Credits
Featured image: Friends of National Parks Foundation