TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - Environment and Forestry Ministry in Sumatra foiled an attempt on Sumatran tiger skin trade in Batang Gangsal, Indragiri Hulu District, Riau. Officials confiscated one complete tiger skin from the two suspects.
Chief of Region II Center for Security and Law Enforcement at the Environment and Forestry, Eduwar Hutapea, said that the two suspects are still being questioned.
“Both of them are still considered as witnesses. We will coordinate with Riau Police for the next legal process,” Eduwar said on, September 30, 2016.
The suspects, Akhyat (51) and Joko (35), are residents of Batang Gangsal, Rengat, Indragiri Hulu. According to Eduwar, the confiscation was done based on the development of information received from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency.
He said that the suspects were apprehended while they were riding their motorcycle at Batang Gangsal with the evidence; the tiger skin and bones.
Eduwar made sure that the hunters were professionals since the skin of the tiger was in one complete piece; from the head, tail, and soles of its feet. “The hunters seemed professional, you can see it from the smooth and flawless tiger skin,” he said.
RIYAN NOFITRA
