33 Sumatran tigers killed every year

33 Sumatran tigers killed every year

PEKANBARU, Riau: Natural Resources Conservation Agency
chairman Adi Susmianto said on Thursday that Sumatran tigers were
on the verge of extinction, because of the uncontrolled killing
of the rare and protected species.

"The Sumatran tiger will be extinct within 12 years unless
concrete action is taken to stop the rampant poaching in their
habitat on the island of Sumatra," he said during a seminar on
the conflict between humans and wildlife.

Adi said that according to data from his office, some 33
Sumatran tigers are slaughtered each year. "And according to our
estimates, there are only 500 Sumatran tigers left and some of
them have been put in zoos, both at home and overseas."

Adi also urged the government to probe the killing by foreign
poachers of two Sumatran tiger cubs in the villages of Birun and
Perentak, Manua district, Jambi. --JP