20 South Sumatran And Bengkulu Hunters Have Converted, No Longer Hunting Sumatran Tigers

20 former hunters declare commitment to stop hunting and assist efforts to stop Sumatran tiger hunting (ANTARA/Anggi Mayasari)

JAKARTA - The men in this photo have different skills and hobbies. So far they are known as Sumatran tiger hunters. But that was then.

Now they are converted. They have even vowed to help stop the hunting of Sumatran tigers.

The commitment was conveyed by 20 former hunters in the South Sumatra and Bengkulu regions at the Sinar Sport Hotel, Bengkulu City, Thursday, July 21.

In Bengkulu City, Head of the Indonesian Lingkar Inisiatif Foundation Iswadi said 20 hunters who in the last two years had been assisted by the foundation had repented.

They have stopped hunting tigers and are committed to supporting Sumatran tiger conservation efforts.​

"We approach the hunters to repent, and they declare that they will stop hunting tigers and will be active in conservation (activities)," said Iswadi.

Photo by Rebecca Campbell on Unsplash

"We are optimistic that this new approach can help increase the tiger population," he added.

Among the hunters who have vowed to help stop tiger hunting is Mawi, who is now committed to helping save the tiger population.

"I am ready to help save the Sumatran tiger and ask other active hunters to stop," he said.

Iswadi hopes that the government will pay attention to the hunters who have repented, appreciate their good faith by helping facilitate them to change professions or provide alternative livelihoods.