BALI BIRD PARK AND BALI HILTON INTERNATIONAL
JOIN FORCES TO HELP SAVE BALI STARLINGS

The Bali Bird Park’s Veterinarian Drh. Maryke Andriani will soon be heading to Perth Zoological Gardens in Western Australia to attend a specialist training course in exotic animal medicine thanks to a partnership developed between the Bali Bird Park and Bali Hilton International.

Drh. Andriani will spend ten days at Perth Zoo attending lectures and practical course work specifically related to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in exotic animals with a specific emphasis on birds. The course is run by the Murdoch University School of Veterinary Science and is hosted by the Perth Zoological Gardens. This has been made possible through the generous support of Bali Hilton International in combining forces with the Bali Bird Park to facilitate this unique opportunity

Drh. Andriani has been responsible for maintaining the health and nutrition of the entire collection at the Bali Bird Park since 1997. The Bali Bird Park is one of Indonesia’s premier wildlife facilities and home to some of Indonesia’s rarest birds including the islands famous Bali Starling.

Reduced to less than fifteen birds in the wild the Bali Bird Park has a successful breeding program for these critically endangered birds and recently another three babies were successfully hatched at the Park, adding to its currently expanding population. It is hoped that through a cooperative effort that these magnificent icons of Bali may one day be released back into the wild.

Monitoring the health of the birds at the Bali Bird Park is critical to the success of breeding programs for endangered species. Drh. Andriani will gain vital experience in the use of some of some of the most modern surgical equipment and techniques and will train along side some of Australia’s leading wildlife Veterinarians. Training for veterinarians in wildlife medicine is not available within Indonesia with most training focused on the treatment of domestic and farm animals.

The experience gained in Australia will greatly assist in maintaining the Bali Bird Parks populations of Bali Starlings and other endangered species in top condition, while also bringing some of the latest veterinary techniques back to Indonesia. The Bali Bird Park regularly accepts confiscated wildlife from the KSDA (Forestry Department) many of which require specialist attention and treatment to return them to peak health.

Throughout the Indonesian Archipelago wildlife is under threat. The Destruction of natural habitat as well as hunting has resulted in a number of animals being classified as endangered. Here in Bali the Bali Starling is almost extinct. The Endangered species programme being run by Bali Hilton International is committed to helping these creatures. Proceeds from the sale of our “Endangered Species” merchandise will go to help save these animals.

This cooperative venture is the first of an on-going relationship being developed between Bali Hilton International and Bali Bird Park in developing their combined ideals in support of the conservation of Indonesia’s unique wildlife.

For further information, please contact:

Happy Soebianto
Public Relations Manager
Bali Hilton International
Tel. +62-361-771102 Ext. 2606
Fax. +62-361-771616
E-mail: [email protected]

Or

Candyda Rissa
Public Relations
PT. Taman Burung Citra Bali International
Tel. +62-361-299352
Fax. +62-361-299 614
Jln. Serma. Cok. Ngurah Gambir, Singapadu - Gianyar - Bali.
e-mail: [email protected]