Conservationists save wounded tiger

Conservationists save wounded tiger

PEKANBARU, Riau: A man speared on Thursday a caged tigress
that had allegedly killed a six-year-old child, but
conservationists are working to save the wounded feline.

The tiger was speared in its back by the villager, but it
survived the attack and is being treated by American veterinarian
Susan Mikota in the province's capital of Pekanbaru.

"Her condition has improved," said the head of the local
nature conservation unit, John Kennedie.

He said his team had caught the animal on Wednesday at Basilam
Hilir village, in the city of Dumai.

An unidentified villager later approached the caged tigress
and speared it from behind, apparently to avenge the death of a
six-year-old child that people believe was killed by the feline.

Roaming tigers in the area reportedly killed four people
throughout last year. Kennedie blamed the incidents on the
animals' shrinking habitat due to a surge of illegal logging in
the area.

Some of the tigers have been captured to be sent to Taman
Safari in West Java. -- Antara.