Bali Wildlife Rescue Centre

The Bali Wildlife Rescue Centre takes animals that have been apprehended from the illegal exotic animal trade, taken from people’s homes, or found. It currently has a lot of birds, some monkeys and gibbons, a sun bear, some crocodiles and some snakes.

They try to nurse any injuries, then prepare them for one of four fates:
Return to the wild
Relocation to a breeding location
Relocation to a sheltered habitat, when it's evident they won't make it in the wild
Eventual death

As far as I could tell, animals are not euthanized; they are held until a natural death happens.

The facility was built in 2004, and has been operated by the Friends of the National Parks Foundation since 2012. I'm not sure who built it, but FNPF took over at government’s request. Most of the funding comes from an Australian animal protection society, and FNPF is always looking for more money.

The manager is a veterinarian. I didn't have a chance to meet her since she was in Jogjakarta getting married when I had my visit. The staff take care of the animals and the facility. They have been working on providing more interest in the cages, trying to effect a change from cages to habitats.

The only place where I saw an effective habitat was in the hornbill enclosure. There's a species of hornbill that likes to sleep in Java and spend the day in Bali, and three of them were enjoying life in a large netted space. Alongside the hornbills was an equally large (and equally high) enclosure currently occupied by a handful of crocodiles. They were having lunch as I was there, but I kept far far away. Lunch looked like some kind of bird, possibly scrawny chicken.

Another predominant species of bird were cockatiels. Apparently, the further east you go, the larger they get. There’s a cockatiel native to Bali that is only 30 to 40 centimetres long. Its colouring is also not as bright as some larger ones.

There were a pair of young bald eagles. It seems as though raptors are a fashion accessory for some Arab men. The two caged today each had problems with one eye.  Blinded perhaps.

I didn't look carefully at several of the animals. I find reptiles to be especially creepy, and many people know of my fear of primates. I was trying hard to look like a concerned person, not a scared one, so I focussed on my guide whenever I got uncomfortable.

The animals that I did look at appeared to be content. They were not showing indicators of self harm -- broken skin, bald patches, etc. My guide told me that when FNPF took over, many animals looked distressed.

A few weeks ago, five pythons were returned to the wild. Every year about a thousand birds are set free. The rehab-and-release program is a success.

FNFP looks for volunteers who are interested in animal welfare and care. Volunteers can engage with animals, adding stimulation to their day. Attention is paid to the probable fate. If an animal is destined for the wild, touching is off the table. If an animal is living out its life, personal contact is okay.

Volunteers also are expected to help with cleaning. To ensure there is no spread of disease, animals are quarantined when first entering the Bali Wildlife Rescue Centre, and enclosures are kept very clean.

Volunteers pay a modest amount for accommodation on site. There's a four-bed dormitory with a small kitchen and toilet. FNPF stocks filtered water, but does not provide food for volunteers.

A week-long commitment allows volunteers to learn the routine of the various animals, and ensures the rescued animals get the best care possible.

The Bali Wildlife Rescue Centre is in Tabanan, about an hour outside of the tourist centre of Kuta, or an hour and a half from Denpasar airport.