The Bali Starling is critically endangered, hovering immediately above extinction in the wild for several years now (BirdLife International 2006). The last stronghold of the species is at West Bali National Park; about 1,000 individuals are believed to be held in captivity legally. In fact, the Bali Starling is so much in danger that the national park has been set up just for the Bali Starling's survival. The wild population was at an all-time low of just 6 birds in 2001, after the late-1990s wild population of 3-4 dozen was reduced by poachers for the illegal pet trade.Its decline towards extinction has been caused by the urbanization of the island and by illegal trapping for the caged-bird trade; indeed, the number of captive birds bought on black market is estimated to be twice the number of legally-acquired individuals in the captive breeding program. The Bali Starling is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Trade even in captive-bred specimens is strictly regulated and the species is not generally available legally to private individuals. However, experienced aviculturalists may become affiliated with the captive-breeding program, allowing them to legally keep this species.The Bali Starling Conservation Project was Begawan Foundation's first initiative, commencing when the Foundation purchased two pairs of birds from the aviaries of Mr Nick Wileman, a successful and knowledgeable breeder living near London, and brought them home to Bali on 24 June 1999. The Foundation developed a successful breeding programme with excellent facilities and expert supervision by Balis leading avian veterinarian, Drh I. G. N. Bayu Wirayudha. By November 2005, the Foundations captive population had grown from four birds, returned to Bali from UK, to 97 birds. In July 2006, the first 25 micro-chipped birds were released into the wild on Nusa Penida, a small island south of mainland Bali. Further releases followed and, by end of August 2009, a total of 65 birds had been released and 62 of their offspring were known to have survived and were flying free.In 2005, most of the birds, along with their cages, were moved from Begawan Giri Estate to a newly established bird sanctuary, on Nusa Penida, a small island south of mainland Bali.