Friends Of The National Parks Foundation

Blessed to be free

1. Flight of freedom

The Bali Besikalung Wildlife Sanctuary – established by Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF) in 2011 – is a haven for endangered birds and animals within an intact forest landscape on the slopes of Mt Batukaru, in central Bali. At a traditional temple ceremony, this Changeable Hawk-eagle(Nisaetus cirrhatus) was recently released back to the wild forest sanctuary following a period of rehabilitation after confiscation from poachers by the forestry department’s Nature Conservancy Agency.

2. World heritage sanctuary

All over Indonesia birds and animals are under threat from poachers and illegal wildlife traders – the country has the world’s second-highest number of threatened birds. Bordering UNESCO World Heritage-listed protected rice terraces – Bali Besikalung Wildlife Sanctuary is part of Bali’s largest remaining forest, spanning an area covering 5km in radius from famous Besikalung Temple and is home to Leaf monkeys, macaques and many bird species. FNPF has released dozens of birds into the Bali Besikalung Wildlife Sanctuary, including White vented mynahs, Peaceful doves and more recently Changeable Hawk-eagles.

3. Holy water blessing

In Balinese tradition, a temple priest attends all ceremonial events to offer blessings and protection. At Besikalung Temple, the FNPF bird releasing ceremony – Matur piuning – of this Changeable Hawk-eagle and other birds released back to the wild here at the sanctuary, are considered sacred and belong to the forest under the care of Naga – the Holy dragon spirit – and traditional community security.

4. We have lift off!

As a small Indonesian grassroots NGO, we would not have been able to achieve what we have done to date without local support and international assistance. We would like to sincerely thank Human Society International (Australia), Nature Conservancy Agency (BKSDA), and Nagaloka Foundation – who work with local communities in skills development and preservation of culture and environment. The Besikalung community has introduced traditional laws supporting the wildlife sanctuary – the first in Bali initiated by private enterprise.

FNPF looks forward to strengthening the partnerships we have already formed and in developing new alliances to further our work to ensure the survival of threatened and endangered species in Indonesia.

WHO WE ARE

Friends of the National Park Foundation (FNPF) is an Indonesian conservation not-for-profit organization working to protect wildlife and its habitat, at the same time as supporting local communities.

Our projects have been recognized globally by organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, the Whitley Fund for Nature and the Rainforest Action Network.

FNPF was set up 1997 by a group of veterinarians, and conservationists. We receive no government funding and rely solely on the support of volunteers and donors. Read more about what we do or check out our supporters and donors.

Friends Of The National Parks Foundation:



http://www.fnpf.org/news/photo-essay/photo-essay-blessed-to-be-free



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