4 Dead Tigers, KLHK Asked For Medan Zoo Evaluation

Illustration - Visitors at Medan Zoo, Medan, North Sumatra. BETWEEN/Documentation

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) through the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center was asked to evaluate the Medan Zoo or Medan Zoo regarding the deaths of four tigers.

"This incident has occurred many times with tiger deaths, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, in this case BBKSDA, must fully evaluate the implementation," said North Sumatran Walhi Executive Director Rianda Purba as reported by ANTARA, Monday, January 29.

He continued, the management of the Medan Zoo must be carried out more seriously by taking into account the health of the animal and the fulfillment of the rights of its employees.

If later it is found that the management of the Medan Zoo is considered not serious because it causes the animals to die, then the Ministry of Environment and Forestry must temporarily revoke the permit.

Until now there are four dead tigers at Medan Zoo, two Sumatran tigers named Erha on November 3, 2023, and Nurhaliza on December 31, 2023, respectively.

Then two Bengal tigers on behalf of Avatar on December 3, 2023, and Wesa around 19 years old on January 22, 2024.

Even though the tiger is a protected animal based on Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems.

"If it is not sufficient, just revoke the permit, and temporarily close it until the BUMD (PUD Pembangunan, red) as the manager fulfills the adequate conservation eligibility of the Medan Zoo for animals," said Rianda.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry stated that it intervened to help improve animal management at the Medan Zoo.

Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Satyawan Pudyatmoko, said that one of the problems that Medan Zoo is financial, thus having an impact on animal management that does not meet standards.

"KLHK together with the Zoo Association throughout Indonesia are providing assistance and efforts to improve animal management at the Medan Zoo," Satyawan said.