PADANG - The Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of West Sumatra (West Sumatra) and the West Pasaman Regency Government released the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumaterae) to the Mount Sipogu Protected Forest of Mount Sipogu, Sungai Aur District.
"Releasing it aims to preserve the Sumatran tiger in the area," said Head of the West Sumatra KSDA Ardi Andono at Simpang Empat, quoted by Antara, Thursday, July 29.
According to him, the tiger was rescued or captured on Monday, July 19. The tiger was taken to the Kinantan Cultural Wildlife Park (TMSBK) in Bukittinggi, but all parties agreed to release it back into its habitat.
"Today we agreed to release the tiger back into its habitat and symbolically we do it today in the yard of the West Pasaman Regent's Office. The tiger will be released on Friday (30/7) morning," continued Ardi.
The agreement to release the tiger, he said, is a historic day because the people themselves have asked for the tiger to be released.
"Usually people refuse to return tigers, but at Simpang Godang the people ask to be released back into the wild and are supported by the West Pasaman Regency Government," said Ardi.
BKSDA thanked the people of Sungai Aur and Ujung Gading who agreed to release the tiger, named the Sipogu Tiger.
"Today is a moment of good cooperation between indigenous peoples, BKSDA, Polres, TNI and West Pasaman Regency Government to preserve Sumatran tigers," he said.
BKSDA hopes that the Sumatran tiger can be sustainable and not extinct in the future. Moreover, this is the moment of World Tiger Day which falls on July 29.
The Head of the West Pasaman Forestry Service, Yozarwardi, expressed his appreciation to the West Pasaman Regent who was able to collaborate with various parties to save the Sumatran tiger.
According to him, the number of Sumatran tigers is currently decreasing due to illegal hunting by irresponsible parties.
He hopes that after being released the community can provide comfort to the tiger. There should be no conflict between animals and humans.
"Hopefully later the tiger and the community can live side by side so that the sustainability of the Sumatran tiger can be maintained," he hoped.
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