Police Examine 12 Witnesses Regarding Death Of 3 Tigers In East Aceh

BANDA ACEH - The East Aceh Police (Polres) questioned 12 people as witnesses related to the deaths of three Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae).

"There are 12 witnesses who have been questioned regarding the deaths of three Sumatran tigers. However, until now no one has been named as a suspect," said East Aceh Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head, AKP Miftahuda Dizha Fezuono, in East Aceh, reported by Antara, Thursday, April 28.

Previously, three Sumatran tigers were found dead in two separate places in the forest area in Sri Mulya Village, Peunaron District, East Aceh Regency, Sunday (24/4).

Investigators have collected a number of evidences, including snares in the form of steel cables or slings that caused the death of the protected animal. "We are continuing to explore who put the snares. The snares were installed in the buffer zone of a plantation company in East Aceh Regency," said AKP Miftahuda.

In handling the animal crime case, he said, the police are coordinating with land owners and the community. "The goal is to find a clear spot on who set the snare, so that the three Sumatran tigers are. And this is a crime that carries a prison sentence," he said.

AKP Miftahuda said the perpetrators were charged with Article 40 of Law Number 5/1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.

"Anyone who intentionally violates the law can be subject to a maximum imprisonment of five years and a fine of Rp. 100 million," he said.