As morning breaks over the Bali Wildlife Rescue Centre in Tabanan, leaf monkeys chase each other in circles, a slow loris stretches lazily, and cockatoos chirp and chatter from their perches in trees. Today the animals can look forward to fresh food, entertainment and a safe place to sleep. However, life hasn’t always been this easy for the animals, as the majority of them were rescued from poachers, traffickers or markets, homes and businesses where they were confined and often mistreated.
Residents at BWRC include Balu, a female sun bear who was sold on the black market when she was just a baby and trained to cry for attention. She arrived at BWRC after someone found being smuggled onto a bus in a box. Goffiniana is an endangered cockatoo with a permanently disabled foot, most likely because she was chained up with a metal ring. Then there is Ayuk, a pig-tailed macaque who was tattooed by his previous owner.
The Bali Wildlife Rescue Centre is one of only seven centres in Indonesia that is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing endangered wildlife and animals that are victims of illegal trading. The centre is run by the Friends of the National Parks Foundation, a non-profit conservation organisation that is dedicated to protecting wildlife and its habitats in Indonesia. With support and from the Humane Society International (Australia), the centre currently cares for more than 70 animals.
The main goal at BWRC is to rehabilitate and release the animals that end up in their care. As soon as each animal arrives, they are checked and treated for injuries and illnesses. Then the animals are monitored closely and in some cases retrained skills that they may have lost in confinement. When they are ready, the animals are either released in wildlife sanctuaries in Bali or translocated to other islands where they can live in their natural habitat.
Sadly, many of the animals at BWRC cannot be rehabilitated due to old age, illness or trauma. Take for example Beth, a Moluccan cockatoo that lost her leg and the use of one of her wings after she got stuck in a trap. Johnny is one of four resident pig tailed macaques that suffers from mental problems brought on from abuse. Then there is a lone Bali starling that is too disabled to survive in the wild. These animals will require care for the rest of their lives.
There are a few ways you can help the animals at BWRC get the care they need. The first is by becoming a foster parent to an animal of your choice. Your money will go towards food, medicine and shelter your new furry or feathered friend. The second is by volunteering at the centre and helping to feed the animals, clean their enclosures and create fun toys for them to play with. Finally, you can donate tools or money for a specific cause such as new cages or translocation costs.
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