BKSDA West Sumatra Evacuates Tigers into a Trap Cage in Agam

JAKARTA - The West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) evacuated an individual Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) that entered a trap cage in Batang Palupuh, Koto Rantang Village, Palupuh District, Agam Regency.

Head of the Maninjau Regional Conservation Resort II, West Sumatra BKSDA, Ade Putra, said the evacuation of the tiger involved joint officers from the West Sumatra BKSDA, Nagari Child Patrol (Pagari), Palupuh Police, Koramil Lubuk Basung and local people.

"We evacuated after being anesthetized and taken using a sarung cloth to the settlement at a distance of about 200 meters. The evacuation began on Friday (22/4) afternoon and was completed at around 15.00 WIB," he said as reported by ANTARA, Friday, May 22.

The tiger was immediately taken to the Office of the Regional Section I of the West Sumatra BKSDA in Koto Bukittinggi for health observation.

If in good health, translocation to a more distant and safe area from the community or other activities will be carried out.

"When they arrive at the office, the tiger will be observed and if they are healthy, they will be immediately relocated to a safer location," he said.

He said the BKSDA West Sumatra team was still at the location for further handling, because at the location where the tiger entered the trap cage, another individual was still found.

"The handling will be carried out in the next few days at the location," he said.

Previously, the tiger entered the trap cage that was installed by the West Sumatra BKSDA officers together with Pagari and the community since Wednesday (20/5).

The tiger was known to have entered the trap cage on Friday (22/5) at around 09.00 WIB.

At that time, the West Sumatra BKSDA officers together with Pagari and residents saw the trap cage and during the journey many traces of the protected animal were found.

"When we got to the trap cage, the door was closed and there was one tiger individual inside the cage with an age of less than two years," he said.

From the results of monitoring the camera trap or trap, the tiger entered the trap cage since 02.30 WIB.

The tiger that entered the trap cage was the one that appeared several times in Palembayan, Matur and Palupuh Districts.

Tigers have met with the community while in their rice fields and gardens.

"We have handled it several times and this evacuation is the last option to keep the animals safe and the community safe," he said.