Sumatran Tiger Enters Plantation, Aceh BKSDA Team Conducts Herd

Sumatran Tiger/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - A Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) was reported to have entered a resident's plantation in the Seuleukat area, East Bakongan District, South Aceh Regency, Aceh Province.

"A tiger was reported to have entered a resident's plantation which is only two kilometers from a local resident's settlement," said Head of Section II Subulussalam BKSDA Aceh Hadi Sofyan in South Aceh, Sunday, October 10.

Hadi Sofyan said the community reported that the tiger entered the plantation on Saturday, October 9. Based on the report, the BKSDA team went directly to the location.

"Residents who saw the tiger were about to leave their garden. The residents were scared and left their motorbikes at the location. There were four motorbikes left by their owners," said Hadi Sofyan.

According to Hadi Sofyan, the motorbike that was left behind was evacuated after the BKSDA team carried out the expulsion of the protected animal with firecrackers.

Hadi Sofyan asked the community not to approach the plantation area where the tiger was reported, because it was not yet known what his condition was.

"The Aceh BKSDA team is still at the location, trying to get the tigers back into the forest. Hopefully the tigers stay away from the plantations, so that residents can carry out activities as usual in their gardens," said Hadi Sofyan.

The Sumatran tiger is a protected wild animal based on the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry.

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 which is only found 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 the preservation, especially the Sumatran tiger, by not destroying the forest which is the habitat of various types of animals.

And not to catch, injure, kill, store, possess, maintain, transport, and trade protected animals alive or dead.

Then, do not install snares, poisons, high voltage electric fences that can cause the death of protected wildlife. All illegal acts are subject to criminal sanctions in accordance with statutory regulations.

In addition, other illegal activities can also cause wildlife conflicts, especially the Sumatran tiger with humans. This conflict resulted in economic losses to casualties, both humans and the survival of the wildlife.