Maruyung Bandung Residents' Tiger Successfully Evacuated
BANDUNG - The West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) evacuated a leopard that entered a residential area in Maruyung Village, Pacet District, Bandung Regency, to the Cikembulan Conservation Agency, Garut, after the animal was found on Thursday afternoon.
Head of the Regional Conservation Section (SKW) V BBKSDAJabar Vitriana Yulalita said that his party had handed over the leopard seal which had been successfully secured by the community and local authorities, and immediately conducted an in-depth health examination.
"Currently, we will handle the tiger and take it to the Cikembulan Conservation Agency in Garut for health checks and initial treatment," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, February 5.
He explained that the main focus of the BBKSDAJabar at this time is to ensure the health condition of the leopard so that it does not experience physical disorders or stress, due to being in the human environment.
Vitriana appreciated the awareness of the surrounding community, which was considered wise in dealing with the existence of protected animals without injuring or even killing them.
"Alhamdulillah, the community has understood that the leopard is a protected animal, so the handling is done well and there are no unwanted things," he said.
His party will conduct further studies to determine whether the leopard can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild after a health examination is carried out.
He emphasized that the location of the release could not be determined, because it still required special studies related to habitat suitability and considering the individual condition of the leopard.
Meanwhile, Pacet Police Chief AKP Asep Mulia said the initial information about the presence of the leopard was received from a report from the public who saw the animal roaming in the residential area during the day.
"After receiving the report, we immediately coordinated with Satpol PP, Fire Department, and BKSDA. The leopard was successfully secured and was taken to the police station for temporary security," he said.
He added that until now the police were still conducting further data collection in the field regarding the victims of injuries due to the incident.