Dharmasraya, 10 September 2021 – Conflict between Sumatran Tigers (Pantera tigris sumatrae) and humans has been quite a concern. Particularly a recent one happening at Teluk Lanus Village, Sungai Apit District, Siak Regency, Riau Province, where a tiger repeatedly made contact with nearby village and preyed on their livestock since 10 May 2021. The tiger also attacked villagers on 10 July 2021, and the tension peaked on Sunday, 29 August 2021, when the tiger caused the death of a worker from PT Uniseraya (MA, 16 years old).
Upon receiving the report, on Tuesday, 30 August 2021, Riau BKSDA together with police force from Siak and Sungai Apit, PT. Triomas, and together with a team from ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation (YAD) visited the scene where the victim was found. According to the Head of Riau BKSDA, Hartono, the field team found traces of wildlife presence not too far the victim. “After collecting information and identifying the location of the incident, we installed 2 box traps and 3 camera traps around the scene,” said Hartono.
On Monday, 6 September 2021, a second team comprised of members from Riau BKSDA and YAD returned to the scene. One of the team members, drh. Daniel Hot Asih Sianipar, said that the team stayed there for 4 days until the Sumatran tiger finally entered one of the trap cages. “Wednesday, 8 September 2021, at around 18:30 WIB, the team heard the sound of trap door closing. However, because it was already dark, the team decided to check the next day,” said Daniel. He continued that on Thursday, 9 September 2021 at 6:00 WIB, the team checked the trap cage that was installed about 50 meters from the scene. In the trap cage there was one female Sumatran tiger who was about 3 years old.
After that, the team tranquilized the Sumatran tiger and transferred her to translocation cage provided by ARSARI Foundation. Due to snare wound on the right front leg of the tiger, Riau BBKSDA decided that the tiger would be translocated to West Sumatra-based Dharmasraya Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center (PR-HSD ARSARI) managed by YAD for rehabilitation. Dr. Catrini Kubontubuh, Executive Director of YAD, stated that her team is ready to carry out rehabilitation. “We thank you for the trust given to us through PR-HSD ARSARI. In addition to curing the wound, we will also investigate whether this female Sumatran tiger, christened as Lanustika, is categorized as a man eater,” stated Catrini. She also explained that there are 3 other tigers currently in rehabilitation process at PR-HSD ARSARI; their names are Ria, Putra, and Putri Singgulung. The tiger was handed over from Riau BBKSDA to West Sumatra BKSDA represented by Novtiwarman, Head of the Conservation Section III of West Sumatra BKSDA, and from there was handed over to drh. Patrick Flaggellata, Operational Manager of PR-HSD.
Further Information:
Tito Suryawan, Media and Communications of YAD (0857 9485 0305)
Drh. Patrick Flagellata, Operational Manager of PR-HSD ARSARI (0821 5897 1307)