Threatened species of Leucopsar rothschildi

Due to deforestation and subsequent habitat loss the Bali starling is confined to a much reduced range inside the Bali Barat National Park in Bali, Indonesia. The stress on this species is exacerbated due to illegal poaching fuelled by the demand for this species as a status symbol amongst the ruling elite of Indonesia, despite a ban on trade and collecting.

The wild population of Leucopsar rothschildi has crashed to a critical level due to the cage bird trade.

In 1990 the wild population was estimated to be as low as 13 individuals, although the world captive population was then estimated at 700. The Bali Starling Project, launched in 1987 by ICBP/BirdLife in cooperation with the Indonesian government and American and British zoos, has helped to improve guarding of the park and has bolstered the wild population by release of a small number of captive-bred birds, which has brought the number of wild-living stock back to between 35 and 55. However, despite excellent breeding success (36 young fledged in 1992/1993), the post-breeding census in 1993 estimated only 42--48 birds (a zero net growth over the year, the result of continuing illegal poaching), and only 36--40 in 1994.

In February 2000 an armed gang suspected to have links with the Indonesian military raided the captive breeding facility in West Bali National Park and stole virtually all the breeding stock, (39 birds) of Leucopsar rothschildi. The raid took place a day after the centre had been visited by senior army officers claiming to be interested in wildlife. After earlier break ins the unit had been turned into a high security camp under constant video surveillance and protected by army guards. The guards were easily over-powered and the 39 breeding birds were stolen, of which a few have since re-emerged on the black market.

Leucopsar rothschildi is considered as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN Red List. CITES lists the species as "Appendix 1".