The Javan tiger was long believed to be extinct. The International\nUnion for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially listed it as extinct\nin 2008.<\/p>\n
However, recent research has revealed that the Javan tiger may still\nbe alive. Although many reports described sightings of the animal, these\nlacked strong evidence until 2019, when concrete proof emerged. The\ntiger was suspected to be living in the forests of Sukabumi, West\nJava.<\/p>\n
Residents of Cipendeuy village in Sukabumi reported seeing the Javan\ntiger, including spotting paw prints, scratch marks, and a strand of\nhair. DNA analysis was subsequently conducted on the hair sample found.\nThe results confirmed that the hair indeed came from a Javan tiger.<\/p>\n
Researchers conducted mitochondrial analysis and compared it with\nsamples stored in museums since 1930. Testing was also performed on hair\nsamples from other tiger subspecies and the Javan leopard for\ncomparison.<\/p>\n
However, the finding did not immediately bring joy to researchers, as\nfurther study was needed to confirm the animal\u2019s existence. \u201cWhether the\nJavan tiger still lives in the wild must be confirmed through further\ngenetic and field research,\u201d stated the research team in a scientific\nreport published in the journal Oryx.<\/p>\n
Despite this caution, wildlife protection activists in Indonesia are\noptimistic about the prospect of the Javan tiger still being alive.\nAccording to a 2024 Reuters report, the Ministry of Environment and\nForestry pledged to follow up on the findings.<\/p>\n
The ministry has installed cameras and is conducting broader DNA\nsearches. The government is also consulting with genetic experts. Should\nthe Javan tiger prove to still exist, Setyawan Pudyatmoko, Director\nGeneral of Natural Resource and Ecosystem Conservation at the Ministry\nof Environment and Forestry, stated that the species must be strictly\nprotected.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it is indeed proven to still exist, it will certainly become a\nprotected species. It is the responsibility of all parties, including\nthe community, to participate in preserving its population,\u201d Pudyatmoko\nsaid.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/javan-tiger-not-extinct-found-roaming-in-this-region-1773748355", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }