Indonesia, Japan cooperating to conserve Bali's myna bird

Yogyakarta, June 11 (Antara) - Japan's Yokohama city administration and the Indonesian government are cooperating to conserve the Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), locally called jalak or curik, by donating the birds for release at the Bali Barat National Park (TNBB). "This cooperation will last for three years, from 2015 to 2017," Chairperson of the Association of Curik Bali Preserver (APCB) Tony Sumampau stated here on Thursday. He affirmed that the cooperation is in its second stage, after it was established three years ago. Director of Conservation and Biodiversity (KKH) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Bambang Dahono Aji noted that the success achieved in the conservation of Bali starling can serve as a role model of success for wildlife conservation in Indonesia. "The success of Bali starling in-situ and ex-situ conservations is a success story of endemic wildlife conservation in Indonesia," he emphasized. Aji stated that the success of Bali starling conservation is apparent by the increase in the population of these birds, which were previously on the brink of extinction in their natural habitat in TNBB. "In 2005, the population of Bali starling in the national park was only five, and now, there are more than 100 birds, and at least 40 Bali starlings have even been released in the wild," he revealed. The Yokohama city administration remains committed to assist in the conservation of Bali starling in their natural habitat. The Bali starling is a medium-large bird measuring 25 centimeters. It is almost entirely white with a long, drooping crest, black wing-tips and tail tip. It has a yellow bill with blue bare skin around the eyes and legs. The Bali starling's habitat is restricted to Bali Island. The bird was discovered in 1910, and in 1991, it was designated as the faunal emblem of Bali and is featured on the Indonesian Rp200 coin.