Sumatran Tigers In Trap Cages Evacuated To PRHSD, Will Be Released If Healthy

The process of moving a Sumatran tiger from a trap cage to a transport cage, in Agam Regency, West Sumatra, Tuesday (11/1). ANTARA/Yusrizal

LUBUKBASUNG - The Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of West Sumatra has evacuated the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) that had entered a trap cage in Maua Hilia, Jorong Kayu Pasak Timur, Nagari Silareh Aia, Palembayan District, Agam Regency to the Dharmasraya Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center (PRHSD) Arsarl Foundation.

"We immediately sent the tiger to the Arsari Foundation PRHSD under the escort of PRHSD veterinarians," said the head of the Agam Natural Resources Conservation Resort (KSDA), Ade Putra, in Lubukbasung, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, January 11.

He said that the protected animals under Law No. 5/1990 on Conservation of Natural Resources and their Ecosystems were brought to PRHSD using transport cages for observation and health checks.

If the condition is healthy, the wild animal will be immediately released into its habitat. "We are waiting for the results of the observations from the PRHSD medical team and after this, we are looking for locations for releases," he said.

Before leaving PRHSD, he said, the tiger was taken to the Agam KSDA Resort Office in Lubukbasung and the Regent of Agam, Andri Warman, saw the animal.

"The Regent of Agam was accompanied by the Head of the West Sumatra BKSDA, Ardi Andono, and the Head of the Conservation Section I of the West Sumatra BKDA, Khairi Ramadhan," he said.

Meanwhile, Andono added that West Sumatra has two large lenses, namely Bukit Barisan and the Maninjau Nature Reserve to Batang Gadis which are inhabited by 80-100 tigers. "People living in the two landscape areas must be careful," he said.

Currently, the governor of West Sumatra has issued a circular to the regent and mayor that tigers must be protected together. After that, start building the Nagari Anak Patrol and how they work together in the nagari or traditional village to protect tigers or their livestock.

In the circular letter, the governor hopes that the parties will synergize with each other, including entrepreneurs, so that no more animals come out because there is an effort or activity by entrepreneurs in the form of oil palm plantations.

Warman thanked the West Sumatra BKDA for evacuating tigers so that animals do not become victims or people who are victims.

"With the safekeeping, the animals are rehabilitated. We will think about whether to return them to their habitat or put them in the zoo to attract tourists," he said.

He appealed to residents to be careful because these animals leave because their habitat is disturbed or food has decreased, because these animals need to live and need food, so they come to settlements. In the future, it will be discussed with the agency related to livestock being eaten by animals to be replaced financially.

"This is not a matter of principle and will be discussed later," he said.