Central Java panther in peril

SEMARANG: An official warned on Wednesday that panthers (Panthera tigris) living protected forests in Central Java are now in peril.

"There are only few nowadays," said Djuli, head of the Natural Resources Conservation Section in Central Java's office of the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations.

In 1999, there were only about 15 panthers living in protected forests, or five less than the previous year, he said. "There were still 40 in 1993. Therefore necessary steps to protect this rare species must be taken."

Poaching and the destruction of the animal's habitat are blamed as contributing to the decrease in the panther population in the province. (har/sur)