Despite its population and its popularity as a tourist destination, Bali has maintained a significant variety of wild species. Indigenous to Bali are hundred of bird's species, macaques, monkeys. Historically, it even supported a species of tiger, but the last was seen in 1930s.

With the human population and the loss of forest habitat, many more creatures are having hard times. Modern technology, such as liquid herbicides introduced for controlling weeds in wet rice cultivation, add poisons to that are having a negative impact on the ecosystem. The unintended consequences of all these factors is to put more pressure on the animal population.

In recognition of this increasingly critical condition, the government established Bali Barat National Park. Its main aim was to protect the preserve habitat and give shelter to rare bird species, such as the unique Bali Mynah.

Another impact that affects the monkey community in particular is the large number of tourists at destinations such as Uluwatu Temple, Sangeh, Alas Kedaton and the Monkey Forest Ubud. Temples have always been a minor source of food for the local monkey populations (they raid the donations left at the temples), but with the large number of tourists now adding their "donations" to the macaques, the population is at risk from dependency on these handouts.

Bali Barat National Park has become a popular destination for amateur ornithologists. The park supports a large bird population. If you would like to see a large collection of Indonesian birds without having to trudge around in the jungle, you can also visit the Bali Bird Park which is home to thousands of birds from Bali and Indonesia -- probably your best bet for seeing the rare Bali Starling.

Learn more about Bali's wild life...