BKSDA Installs 6 Other Camera Traps to Avert Human-Tiger Conflict

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Sumatra's Natural Resources Conservation Office (BKSDA) installed six more camera and box traps to find traces of protected and endangered Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris ssp. sumatrae), calling it a precautionary measure against human-species conflict.

"We have yet mapped out locations of the tigers and conflict zones, but we marked some areas that might be part of their habitats," South Sumatra's BKSDA chairman, Genman Suhefti Hasibuan, stated in Palembang, Saturday.

For the past two months, the conservation office investigated six reports of tiger attacks. Hasibuan revealed that the first attack took place in November 16 this year in which a 19-year-old tourist got injured. Following the incident, a Sumatran tiger also attacked a 58-year-old farmer in Lahat District leading to fatal injuries.

In the third report of tiger-human conflict in December 2, another farmer was injured, and at the location of the incident in Rimba Candi Village, Pagaralam City, South Sumatra Province, he witnessed a mother tiger and her cub.

According to the last three reports filed with the conservation office, the attacks had led to three casualties.

Based on the reports submitted to the office, the BKSDA will install additional camera traps in Desa Muara Dua Village, Semendo Dempo Laut Sub-district, Muara Enim District.

"We will hide four camera traps and one box trap in the village," Hasibuan stated.

According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Sumatran Tiger has been critically endangered in 2008, and the population of the species in its habitats has been decreasing over the year.

"Habitat loss resulting from expansion of palm oil plantations and planting of Acacia plantations. Illegal trade, primarily for domestic market. Prey-base depletion," the IUCN stated while highlighting the threats that may harm the species population.

ANTARA