Rescued female Sunda pangolin released in West Bali National Park

Jembrana — The Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Bali), West Bali National Park and the Indonesian Wildlife Network Foundation (Yayasan Jaringan Satwa Indonesia/JSI) have released a female Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) back into the wild in West Bali National Park after 24 days of rehabilitation and habituation.

According to a statement from BKSDA Bali dated 9 September 2026, the release took place in the forest area of Ambyarsari Resort, near Grojogan Waterfall in Blimbingsari Village, Melaya District, Jembrana Regency. The pangolin was identified as an adult female weighing about 2 kilograms.

BKSDA Bali said the animal was handed over by a resident named I Putu Mardiana on 16 August 2026 after it entered his garden and was chased by his dogs. The resident placed the pangolin in a cage while seeking assistance and reported the incident to the local community police officer (Bhabinkamtibmas).

After officials confirmed that the animal was a protected species, the officer took the pangolin to the Jembrana KSDA Resort office, where BKSDA Bali personnel evacuated it and transferred it for care to JSI’s facility in Banyuwedang, Buleleng. The release was carried out in collaboration between BKSDA Bali, West Bali National Park and JSI as part of ongoing wildlife rescue and conservation efforts.

Health checks and release site

BKSDA Bali reported that the pangolin underwent rehabilitation and habituation for 24 days at JSI’s facility before being certified fit for release. A health examination by JSI’s veterinarian was documented in a certificate dated 4 September 2026.

Veterinarian Farida Ulya of JSI stated that the pangolin was healthy, active and eating normally at the time of release, following the rehabilitation and habituation period. The agencies then transported the animal to the selected forest site in West Bali National Park.

Officials chose the Ambyarsari Resort release location because it was considered suitable pangolin habitat, close to a water source and far from the national road, according to BKSDA Bali. Isai Yusidarta, head of Sector Management Unit I of West Bali National Park, explained that camera traps had previously recorded pangolin presence in the area, supporting the decision to release the animal there.

Legal protection and conservation status

BKSDA Bali official Ahmad Januar noted that the Sunda pangolin is protected under Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 106 of 2018. The agency also cited the species’ status as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and its inclusion in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

According to BKSDA Bali, Sunda pangolins are nocturnal mammals that typically feed on ants and termites. Their bodies are covered in hard, overlapping scales that give them protection from predators when they curl into a ball.

Key figures from the release, based on the BKSDA Bali account, include:

• Handover to authorities: 16 August 2026
• Rehabilitation and habituation: 24 days
• Sex and weight: female, approximately 2 kilograms
• Health certificate date: 4 September 2026
• Release date and location: 9 September 2026, Ambyarsari Resort, West Bali National Park

Reporting wildlife encounters

BKSDA Bali head Ratna Hendratmoko urged residents not to keep wild animals, whether protected or not, and to support conservation efforts by reporting wildlife encounters. She called on the public to contact the agency’s Wildlife Rescue Unit call centre if they find wild animals that are injured, loose, entering settlements or in locations where they do not belong, so that officers can respond quickly, safely and in accordance with conservation procedures.

The pangolin’s release in West Bali National Park follows similar handover and release cases handled by BKSDA Bali earlier in 2026, including pangolins found and rescued in other parts of the island before being rehabilitated and returned to suitable forest habitat.

Sources

• Balai KSDA Bali – Kolaborasi Balai KSDA Bali, Taman Nasional Bali Barat, dan Yayasan Jaringan Satwa Indonesia dalam pelepasliaran trenggiling (Manis javanica)
• Direktorat Jenderal KSDAE – Balai KSDA & Taman Nasional directory