BKSDA Releases Tigers To Mount Leuser National Park

PHOTO VIA ANTARA

BANDA ACEH - The Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) together with partners released a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) into its natural habitat in Gunung Leuser National Park.

Head of the Aceh BKSDA Agus Arianto said the Sumatran tiger was female with an age ranging from 1.5 to two years.

"The individual tigress was given the name Putroe Kapho. Previously, the tiger was in a catching cage in the Mount Kapho area, Trumon District, South Aceh Regency," Agus said as quoted by Antara, Thursday, November 18.

Before being evacuated to Gunung Leuser National Park, Putroe Kapho was often seen in several villages in South Aceh District.

From the results of the evaluation, he said, the Sumatran tiger showed abnormal behavior, which was not disturbed by the presence of humans around it.

"And that can be seen in videos circulating in the community. A number of people seem to have recorded it, but the tiger was not disturbed by a number of people who recorded it," he said.

Furthermore, BKSDA and partners carried out rescue efforts by installing trap cages. The tiger finally entered sometime last November 10 and was evacuated to the Conservation Response Union (CRU) Trumon.

"After undergoing examination and medical treatment, the tiger was declared healthy, so it was released into its natural habitat in the Gunung Leuser National Park area," he said.

According to Agus Arianto, the release in the national park was carried out after a survey and feasibility study was carried out, including food sources and natural conditions.

"During the release process, Putroe Kapho looked very excited, exploring the Gunung Leuser National Park area. We hope the tigress can adapt quickly and breed to increase the population in nature," he said.

Based on the list of animal rarities issued by the world conservation agency, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), this animal found only 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 sustainability, especially the Sumatran tiger, by not destroying the forest which is the habitat of various types of animals.

In addition, not capturing, injuring, killing, storing, possessing, maintaining, transporting, and trading protected animals alive or dead, not installing snares, poisons, high voltage electric fences that can cause the death of protected wildlife.

He said that all illegal acts were subject to criminal sanctions in accordance with statutory regulations.

In addition, other illegal activities can also cause wildlife conflicts, especially Sumatran tigers, 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 related parties, and partners who support the rescue and release of the tiger. This support is an effort to preserve protected animals in Aceh Province," said Agus Arianto.