Gianyar (Antara Bali) - BSMP, Garuda Cooperate To Conserve Bali Starling (BSMP) on Friday established cooperation with PT Garuda Indonesia to conserve the Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) bird, locally known as Jalak Bali, Indonesian Safari Park President Director Jansen Manansang said.
Jansen said the cooperation was formalized by the signing of a an agreement by him and PT Garuda Indonesia public and human resources director Heriyanto AP at the Bali Safari & Marine Park in Gianyar district on Friday.
He said the cooperation with PT Garuda Indonesia was part of an effort to keep and protect the population of Jalak Bali, the only endemic vertebrate species in Bali island.
Featured on Indonesian Rp200 coins, the bird was discovered in 1910, and in 1991 was designated as the symbol of Bali.
"Therefore, the existence of Jalak Bali is very important as the island's regional mascot which is critically endangered," Jansen said, adding that the bird should be saved from extinction.
He said that efforts to save the Bali Starling from extinction had been made since 2006 with a plan to breed the bird but it was rejected by an international party that would fund the project.
But after learning that the proliferation efforts would have a positive impact on the bird's population , the international party finally understood it.
"Our objective to breed the Bali Starlings is to eventually release them into their natural habitat in order to save them from extinction," Jansen said.
Meanwhile, Heriyanto AP said the Jalak Bali conservation cooperation program was a manifestation of PT Garuda Indonesia's concern for the preservation of endangered species and their environments.
"Besides, we also call on all parties to participate in the Jalak Bali conservation effort," Heryanto said, adding that the cooperation was not with BSMP only but also with other national parks in Central Kalimantan and Yogyakarta.(IGT)
