Caring for Bali’s Wildlife and Communities

As we move towards the end of the year, our team in Bali continues to support both communities and wildlife through several initiatives from marine mammal stranding workshops and companion animal vaccination clinics to leopard cat rehabilitation programs and even birdwatching tours.

Here’s a look at some of our recent accomplishments from the past few months:

Umah Lumba sea pen maintenance

Rehabilitated sea turtle is lowered into the water at the Umah Lumba Center. Credit: DolphinProject.com

With our Umah Lumba team needing to be ready at a moment’s notice for any potential dolphin or sea turtle rescues comes the weekly job of maintaining and repairing the center’s sea pens.

Because the Center is exposed to tides, currents and changing weather, cleaning and routine maintenance is crucial in order that our facilities are kept in top condition.

Building local knowledge: marine mammal stranding workshops

Deny, Umah Lumba’s marine mammal veterinarian speaks about the marine mammal stranding response and welfare issues, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com

When a dolphin or whale strands onshore, every minute matters. That’s why Umah Lumba regularly holds marine mammal stranding workshops and local educational conferences, bringing together community members, officials, and volunteers to learn the proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for responding to these critical situations.

With knowledge comes the opportunity to save lives, thus improving an animal’s chance of survival.

A second chance for four baby macaques

Four rescued baby macaques are rehabilitating at the Umah Lumba Center. Credit: DolphinProject.com

A few weeks ago, we rescued four baby long-tailed macaques – Satria, Bayu, Pocha, and Dylan. Each had been taken from their mothers and sold into the local pet trade.

When they arrived, they were in poor shape — suffering from parasite infestations, diarrhea, hypothermia, malnutrition, and dehydration. As well, the trauma of being separated so young from their mothers carried a high risk of self-harming behaviors.

However, after weeks of care, we are pleased to report that Pocha and Dylan, who arrived first, are now healthy, active, and eating well. Satria and Bayu are also recovering beautifully.

Once they finish their quarantine period and are ready to socialize, they will move into the larger enclosure where we hope an older female macaque will “adopt” them and provide a natural bond which will help prepare them for release back into the wild.

Leopard cat rehabilitation: a huge step forward

Rescued leopard cat hunting live prey, Umah Lumba Center. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Recently, three young leopard cats were entrusted to Umah Lumba – a rare and legally protected species in Indonesia. As nocturnal forest-dwelling predators, they play an important ecological role, yet their populations are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade.

The good news is, these leopard cats recently reached a huge milestone. Having moved to a larger enclosure, they’ve started catching live prey on their own again.

Regaining both their natural hunting skills and survival instincts are essential steps toward an eventual release. We are pleased to report their progress after months of rehabilitation.

Discovering nature together: our first birdwatching tour

Savannah nightjar chicks were spotted during our birdwatching tour! Credit: DolphinProject.com

October 5 marked another of our many achievements – our first-ever birdwatching tour, led by Tsantara, our Community Development Coordinator, together with our Umah Lumba Education Centre students, Armini and Maria.

We spotted every target bird on our list — the Kingfisher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, and Zebra Dove — and even discovered Savannah Nightjar chicks!

Beyond the excitement of discovery, these outings give our students a chance to practice their English skills, build confidence, and learn more about the local environment they’re helping to protect.

Eco-farming: conservation through education

Eco farming at Menjangan Eco Farm. Credit: DolphinProject.com

On October 19, our birdwatching community and Umah Lumba Education Centre students visited the Menjangan Eco Farm.

Together, they learned about the farm’s story, explored fresh fruit and vegetable gardens, and even planted watermelons. We extend a big thank you to Menjangan Dynasty Resort, Pak Dasep, Pak Muslim, Pak Ayi, Ari, and Fauzan for making this day unforgettable.

Celebrating Umah Lumba’s 5th anniversary

Rocky, Rambo and Johnny rehabilitate at the Umah Lumba Center, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: dejaran_

Umah Lumba’s 5th anniversary is coming this December! To celebrate five incredible years of education, rehabilitation, release, and care, our team has planned a series of exciting community events, including:

• free vaccination clinic for dogs and cats – November 7-9, location: Umah Lumba Office, Desa Pejarakan, Bali Barat (limited to the first 50 participants)
• birdwatching event – date to be announced

Please follow us at @umah_lumba on Instagram for more announcements!

Learning is empowering!

Learning is empowering! Eco farming at Menjangan Eco Farm. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Thank you for supporting our dedicated work in Bali. Together, let’s make a positive difference!

LEARN MORE about our work in Indonesia.

Featured image: Deny, Umah Lumba’s marine mammal veterinarian speaks about the marine mammal stranding response and welfare issues, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: DolphinProject.com