Councillor nabbed for tiger-skin trade

BENGKULU, Bengkulu: A councillor from the Golkar Party faction, identified only by his initials RK, was arrested on Friday on charges of trafficking a protected species, an official said.

Agus Priambudi, head of the Bengkulu natural resources conservation office, said police seized a freshly skinned hide of a Sumatran tiger (Panthera Tigris Sumatrae) from RK's car.

The arrest might be the first ever in Indonesia of a political figure under Law No. 15/1990 on wildlife protection.

The law carries a penalty of a 10-year sentence or a maximum Rp 100 million (US$12,500) fine.

"A group of people, involved in the trafficking of protected animals, have established a network based in the South Sumatra town of Lubuk Linggau. But it's difficult for us to trace their exact whereabouts," Agus said.

He also said a Sumatran tiger was found dead near a forest reserve in Muko-Muko regency, Bengkulu.

He said his office was investigating the death of the tiger.

The protected animal lived in Kerinci Seblat National Park, near Bengkulu.

There are only about 150 Sumatran tigers remaining in the park, which is the largest wildlife conserve in Sumatra. -- Antara