Lanustika’s Homecoming to the Wild.
Dharmasraya, West Sumatra, 26 March 2022 – The ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation (YAD) through Dharmasraya Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center (PR-HSD) ARSARI, together with the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry through West Sumatra and Riau Centers for Natural Resources Conservation (BKSDA), safely released a Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) on Saturday, 26 March 2022.
“The release procedure started with a medical examination two days earlier on March 24th , to ensure that the female Sumatran tiger is in proper condition to be released into the wild,” informed drh. Patrick Flagellatta, Operations Manager at PR-HSD ARSARI.
Catrini Kubontubuh, Executive Director of YAD, was present alongside the Head of West Sumatra BKSDA and the Head of Riau BKSDA Center and their respective teams in organizing the release which took more than 20 hours. Lanustika came out of her transport cage at precisely 08.20 WIB on Saturday, 26 March 2022. “It only took her a few seconds to step out once the cage door was opened,” said Catrini. “The release was carried out in accordance with the existing procedures, with a proper precautionary principle so as not to cause negative impacts on the animals, their habitats, and surrounding communities,” she recounted.
Lanustika was rescued by a joint team of YAD and Riau BKSDA from Teluk Lanus Village, Sungai Apit District, Siak Regency, Riau Province from a prolonged conflict with humans since 10 May 2021. She began undergoing rehabilitation at PR-HSD ARSARI in September 2021.
“The principle of conservation is that everything should return to nature. Sumatran Tigers are no exceptions. And their conservation is not something that can be done alone. We are grateful to ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation for the relentless support for Lanustika’s rescue, rehabilitation, and finally release back into the wild,” claimed Fifin Arfiana Jogasara, Head of Riau BKSDA.
In the same vein as Fifin, the Head of West Sumatra BKSDA, Ardi Andono, said that it was of utmost for the West Sumatra BKSDA Center to ensure the success of Lanustika’s release. “We hope that Lanustika, whom we have jointly cared for with PR-HSD ARSARI and has finally been released, can adapt well in her natural habitat and live life free from humans,” he wished.
On a separate occasion, Wiratno as the Director General of KSDAE at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and Hashim Djojohadikusumo as Chairman of YAD, expressed their appreciation to everyone involved in Lanustika’s release for their hard work and extraordinary dedication. “The Sumatran tiger is a living being created by God the Almighty. We must not let them go extinct. We as humans must play an active role in protecting and saving the nature created by God’s grace.” Hashim concluded.
Further information:
drh. Patrick Flagellatta (Operational Manager, PR-HSD ARSARI): 082158971307
Tito Suryawan (Media and Communication, YAD): 085794850305