Bali starlings and the journey towards happiness: introduction and breeding in the Besikalung Wildlife Sanctuary, Bali, Indonesia

Abstract In 2001, only six Bali starlings Leucopsar rothschildi remained in the wild. In 2006, the NGO Friends of Nature, People and Forests established a second population on Nusa Penida Island through the release of captive-bred individuals, installation of nest boxes, and engagement with local communities, an approach later extended to Besikalung Wildlife Sanctuary. In this study, we evaluated breeding success in Besikalung in relation to location and nest box placement and examined the role of local cultural frameworks in supporting conservation. We assessed breeding outcomes from 34 nest boxes across sites and conducted interviews with key local stakeholders. Breeding success differed among locations, indicating that site-specific conditions influence reproductive outcomes. Interviews showed that conservation at Besikalung is reinforced by Indigenous law ( awig-awig ), grounded in the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana , and by the symbolic status of the Bali starling as an emblem of Bali, which together strengthen community support for its protection.