BALINEWSID.COM, BULELENG – The Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Bali) carried out two separate wildlife conservation operations on Monday (May 25, 2026), rescuing and releasing a protected Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) in Pemuteran Village and releasing dozens of confiscated songbirds in North Bali forest areas.

The operation began after officers from the Buleleng-Gilimanuk KSDA Resort received a report at around 7:00 a.m. WITA from a local resident, Endi Rahman, regarding a Crested Serpent Eagle that had fallen after crashing into a house window while hunting prey in Pemuteran Village, Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency.

The resident immediately secured the protected bird inside an iron cage, provided food, and reported the incident to KSDA officers.

Following the report, KSDA personnel coordinated with veterinarians from the Yayasan Jejak Satwa Indonesia (YJSI) Wildlife Clinic to evacuate and examine the bird’s physical and health condition.

Examination results showed that the eagle suffered no physical injuries and still displayed aggressive natural behavior, indicating that it remained healthy and fit for release back into its habitat.

The Crested Serpent Eagle is a protected wildlife species under Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. P.106/Menlhk/Setjen/Kum.1/12/2018 concerning Protected Plant and Animal Species.

Globally, the species is classified as “Least Concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning international trade must be regulated to prevent threats to its survival in the wild.

As a bird of prey, the Crested Serpent Eagle plays an important ecological role by controlling populations of snakes, reptiles, frogs, and small mammals within the food chain.

The eagle was later released into a forest area managed by the North Bali Forest Management Unit (KPH Bali Utara). The release was witnessed by YJSI personnel, North Bali KPH officers, members of LPHD Sumber Kelampok, and interns from Universitas Airlangga.

At the same time, officers also released 21 confiscated songbirds consisting of nine Bali White-eye birds, three SRDC birds, and nine Prenjak birds.

The birds had previously been confiscated at Gilimanuk Port and temporarily placed under YJSI care on May 14, 2026, because they were still juveniles.

Out of 32 birds undergoing rehabilitation and habituation, 21 were declared fit for release, while the remaining 11 reportedly died due to stress and dehydration during the nestling phase.

As a form of appreciation for public participation in wildlife conservation, Bali BKSDA plans to award a certificate of appreciation to the resident who rescued and reported the eagle.

Head of Bali BKSDA, Ratna Hendratmoko, urged the public to actively report injured or threatened wildlife found near residential areas.

“Collaboration between the community and the government is an important part of supporting wildlife conservation efforts in Bali,” Ratna said.