Indonesia's Conservation Agency Logs Surge in Human-Tiger Conflicts in 3 Years
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29 July 2024 17:52 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) noted that there has been a surge in conflicts with Sumatran tigers for the past three years.
"We have noted an increase in conflicts (human-wildlife) with the animal with the Latin name Panthera tigris sondaica in West Sumatra," said Acting Head of the West Sumatra BKSDA Lugi Hartanto when contacted by Tempo on Monday, July 29, 2024.
Lugi explained that the agency handled around 30 cases per year for the past two years. Meanwhile, BKSDA has dealt with 20 cases of conflict with Sumatran tigers so far in 2024.
"Our records show there were 33 conflicts in 2022, 34 in 2023, and 30 throughout 2022,” he said.
Lugi said animal rescue has recorded new individual tigers of up to 2 to 4 years old. In addition, he explained that the conflicts typically occurred outside of conservatory areas; mostly in non-forest areas.
"At a glance, one of the factors that often cause conflicts is the diminishing food sources. Meanwhile, Sumatran tiger hunting in West Sumatra has not been prominent in recent years," he said.
Lugi also could not confirm whether deforestation is one of the contributing factors to conflicts with Sumatran tigers as BKSDA only covers about 247,000 out of West Sumatra’s 2.28 million hectares of forest areas.
However, the West Sumatra BKSDA still strives to educate local communities about forest protection. "We also continue to involve the locals in forest protection by forming Anak Nagari Patrol in seven villages and three districts of Sumatran tiger prone to Sumatran tiger conflicts,” Lugi said. “We continue to encourage local governments and all relevant parties to participate in efforts to protect and preserve Sumatran tigers."
Lugi said his side also disseminated local wisdom that tigers are part of the culture and daily customs. “We urge local residents to refrain from installing traps, including hog snares.”
FACHRI HAMZAH
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