Bali Starlings

Leucopsar rothschildi

Animal lovers are often the worst enemy to wild animals. Hundreds of Bali Starlings have been illegally captured in the wild and sold as exotic pets for people who claim to love exotic birds. Between 1988 and 1994, the population of wild Bali Starlings went from mildly threatened to critically endangered, falling to only 24 individuals in 1994. On a positive note, there are successful conservation programmes in place that help to increase the numbers of Bali Starlings. One example of this is Chester Zoo’s programme, who work with the Begawan Foundation to fund, provide expertise and funds to support the monitoring of wild populations and release of rehabilitated birds.