3 Tigers Observed In Aceh Plantations, Community Anticipate By Bringing Tamers And Setting Traps

The Sumatran tiger was caught by the Aceh BKSDA in Gunung Kapur, Trumon District, South Aceh Regency (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) stated that three Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) were around a community plantation in South Aceh Regency.

Head of the Aceh BKSDA Agus Arianto in Banda Aceh, Thursday, said the presence of the tiger around community plantations had occurred since early October 2021.

"The location of the tigers is changing. Efforts to keep the tigers away are continuously being carried out, including bringing in the animal tamers and installing trap cages," said Agus Arianto.

According to Agus Arianto, the presence of the tiger was monitored from a hidden camera (trap). The locations of Sumatran tigers are in South Aceh Regency, including in Seuleukat Village and Simpang Village, East Bakongan District, as well as Krueng Batee Village, Gunung Kapho Village, and Panton Bili Village, East Trumon District.

At the end of last October, a Sumatran tiger was reported to have been seen in the Sigantang Sira tourist attraction in Gunung Kapur, Trumon District. From the report, the joint team came to the tourist attraction for dispelling.

"Efforts to repel protected animals were carried out using a flashlight. However, the tiger approached the source of the flashlight instead of moving away," said Agus Arianto.

Then, the presence of a tiger went viral in Panton Bilu Village on 7 November. The protected animal was seen on a village road in the plantation area and was recorded by a number of people.

Some of these occurrences indicate behavior that is outside normal conditions. It can be seen that the tiger is not disturbed by the presence of humans around it, said Agus Arianto.

"After seeing this behavior, the team installed a trap cage on Mount Kapho and one individual entered the trap. Currently, the medical team is observing the tiger," said Agus Arianto.

Based on the list of animal rarities issued by the world conservation agency International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), this animal which is only found on the island of Sumatra has the status of a critically endangered species, with a high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Aceh BKSDA appeals to the community to jointly maintain the preservation, especially the Sumatran tiger, by not destroying the forest which is the habitat of various types of animals.

And not to catch, injure, kill, store, possess, maintain, transport, and trade protected animals alive or dead.

Then, do not install snares, poisons, high voltage electric fences that can cause the death of protected wildlife. All illegal acts are subject to criminal sanctions in accordance with statutory regulations.

In addition, other illegal activities can also cause wildlife conflicts, especially the Sumatran tiger with humans. This conflict resulted in economic losses to casualties, both humans and the survival of the wildlife.

"We express our gratitude to the community, other relevant parties, and partners who support the rescue of the tiger. This support is an effort to preserve protected animals in Aceh Province," said Agus Arianto.