The Bali myna was not discovered in Bali until 1910. At that time, the population was estimated at 1,000 birds. By 1975, there were just under 200 left.
The bird is a sought-after cage bird in Asia, for which as much as 3,000 Swiss francs was paid in 1999. Although the Indonesian government had imposed a trade ban, the population had fallen to around 20 wild birds by 2004.
Two years later, 64 birds were released on the island of Nusa Penida, east of Bali. These birds come from breeding programmes run by zoos and private breeders who have been committed to the conservation of this species. The Zoo Zurich has also been involved in the breeding programme for many years.
Taxonomy
Sturnidae, Leucopsar (1 species)
Habitat
scrub and tree savannah, dry forest, palm groves up to 200 metres above sea level
Migratory behaviour
sedentary
Social structure
monogamous, living in groups outside the breeding season
