Tigers Attack Plantation Workers in Pelalawan Riau, BKSDA Installs 10 Trap Cameras

Petugas membatasi tenda pekerja kebun dengan terpal hitam setelah adanya penyerangan harimau pada Sabtu (3/9/2022) di kawasan hutan produksi Kecamatan Kuala Kampar, Kabupaten Pelalawan, Riau. (ANTARA/HO-BBKSDA Riau)

PEKANBARU - The Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) anticipates further attacks by the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) on plantation workers in the production forest area of ​​Kuala Kampar District, Pelalawan Regency.

"We have also installed 10 units of camera traps to monitor the movement and whereabouts of the Sumatran tiger that attacks the human", said Head of the Riau BBKSDA Genman S. Hasibuan as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 6.

He suspects that the tiger that attacked Nihar is still the same individual as the tiger that attacked the female worker named Seha Sofiana, Friday, August 19. The location of the incident this time is only about 2.5 kilometers from the previous incident.

"We suspect this is the same tiger. Based on camera trap footage, it appears that there is only one adult tigress", said Genman.

His party has also reminded employees to be careful outside the barracks and installed black tarpaulins around the barracks to block the tiger's visibility.

"It is hoped that employees will also not go out alone at night so as not to invite tigers to approach the barracks", he continued.

Genman emphasized that Riau's BBKSDA would immediately coordinate with the company's management for a comprehensive effort to conserve tigers in its concession area.

Previously, a PT RPM contractor named Nihar (41) was attacked by a Sumatran tiger after urinating behind a barracks in the production forest area of Kuala Kampar District, Pelalawan Regency, Saturday, September 3, at around 22.00 WIB.

When he came out of the bathroom, Nihar was surprised by the appearance of a Sumatran tiger in front of him. Similar to Nihar, the tiger was also shocked and scratched Nihar in several parts of his body.

Nihar shouted for help and several of his colleagues came to help until the tiger finally walked away.