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Sumatran Tiger Rescued in Bengkulu
Palembang - The Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) has captured a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) in Mekar Raya village in Ulu Talo subdistrict of Seluma district, Bengkulu province, on Saturday (10/7) morning. The injured tiger was captured to rescue it.
Because of its injuries, the tiger could not search for food into the forest. In the last few weeks it stayed at the edge of the forest near a village and in coffee plantations owned by villagers.
Head of Bengkulu BKSDA, Andri Basrah, through Head of the Administration Division, Supartono, on Sunday said the male tiger, which was about 2 to 3 years old, was captured because it has caused unrest among the local villagers. A number of people were very frightened because they had met with the tiger when walking through the plantations.
“The tiger was trapped using a metal cage trap in Ulu Talo region. After we caught the tiger, we then found out it had injuries on its leg and back,” he said.
Bengkulu BKSDA is working together with veterinary medical experts. They will diagnose the injuries suffered by the tiger.
“Whether it’s poison or sharp objects. We will treat the tiger until it has recovered, then it will be released back to the wild. There is also a possibility of it going to a zoo,” he said.
Diminishing
BKSDA said the Sumatran tiger population in Bengkulu is continuing to diminish. Currently there are around 50 tigers left. The tigers are forced to go to the outskirts of the forest because its habitat, the primary forest, is getting more and more damaged. Now, wild boars are practically the only prey available in abundance for Sumatran tigers.
“Sumatran tigers are getting more and more endangered because most of the forest has been converted into oil palm, coffee, and other kinds of plantations. It is only logical that tigers eventually interact with humans as humans approach and enter their habitat,” he said.
Whenever a tiger is found to frequently enter villages and cause social unrest, the BKSDA promises to immediately take anticipative actions by rescuing the tiger. This is important to avoid possible human victims from tiger attacks.
Until now, the captured tiger is becoming a local attraction. Many people from other subdistricts are coming to see the tiger. Some take pictures using cameras and others even take videos of the tiger using handycams or cell phones. But, Supartono said, the tiger is depressed and would not eat. (ANTARA/ONI)
Source : Kompas