Sumatran Tiger's Safety is Very Worrying

Today, I received an email from an environmental activist. His name is Syufra Malina.

Syufra Malina is Communications Manager and Reporting of Orangutan Information Center (OIC), a local NGO in North Sumatra, dedicated to conservation of Sumatra Orangutan endemic species and their forest home in the Leuser Ecosystem. Among their programs are Forest and Wildlife Protection.

On Sunday (August 27), they together with Mount Leuser National Park officials arrested a hunter and carcass of Sumatra tiger. They aim to spread the word as widely as possible to raise awareness and awareness of the devastated wildlife conditions within the Leuser Ecosystem in particular.

The following complete information as contained in a press release sent by Syufra Malina:

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“A Poacher Caught in The Act Carrying a Carcass of Sumatran Tiger

On August 27, a poacher was caught in the act by a joint team patrol and anti-trafficking team consisting of officials from Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP) authority and the Orangutan Information Centre’s (OIC) Forest Wildlife Protection Unit (ForWPU), along with a carcass of female Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) as evidence.

The female Sumatran tiger was estimated three years old, although the poacher said the animal was 13 years old. The poacher who has been announced to public by initial, IS, alias M, is a security guard in an oil palm company. He was caught in the act while doing transaction with an undercover patrol agent in Langkat sub-district, North Sumatra province.

Photo by: Syufra Malina

Despite the fact that The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified Sumatran tigers as critically endangered, their population in Sumatra at large likewise within Leuser Ecosystem has been significantly decreased. Data from official GLNP records there are only about 100 of Sumatran tigers remain in the Leuser Ecosystem.

Panut Hadisiswoyo, Director and Founder of Orangutan Information Centre (OIC), said “The loss of this female tiger is a serious threat for the animal’s survival. As female tiger play a very important for the genetic tiger pool in the Leuser Ecosystem”. Poaching is a serious threat for the survival of tiger population and therefore, ForWPU has been established by the OIC in order to protect Leuser forests from poaching, illegal logging and encroachment. This ForWPU team is one of the guardians of our Leuser."

Misran, Head of GLNP, said that the arrest of the poacher is expected to lead them deeper into wildlife animal trafficking syndicate. The GLNP authority has learnt that the poacher was using an innovative technique and his work was flawless. The carcass is almost without bruises except few snares’ marks left on the animal’s belly. The condition would make a fortune in wildlife market, the kind of market that only serves uncommon buyers.

Photo by: Syufra Malina

According to Indonesian law, convicted wildlife poachers and traffickers could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and 100 Million Rupiahs (around 7500 USD). Sadly records show that offenders in wildlife trafficking have mostly been sentenced less than two years in jail with 10 Million Rupiahs fine.

Law enforcement should be upholding undoubtedly. Nevertheless, spreading knowledge and awareness to people at large is equally important. Panut and Misran stressed that point, “The public and media must support and assist us to guard this case remains on the spot and bring justice to it “.

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Hunting of Sumatran tigers occurs almost in all protected forest areas. Although the culprit was caught, but they never shook. Many believe that the Sumatran tiger hunt is regulated by certain parties with high authority within the state.

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