Fate of Javanese tiger still not known

Fate of Javanese tiger still not known

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian conservationists are in a dilemma
over the fate of the Javanese tiger, not knowing for certain
whether the beast has actually become extinct or not.

A 30-person team from the East Java's Second Office of Natural
Conservation sent out in December to track a Java tiger, known by
its Latin name Panthera Tigris Sondaica, returned empty handed,
failing to find even the smallest trace that it still exists.

The search was concentrated in the Meru Betiri National Park,
about the only area which conservationists say has the ecology to
support the existence of the tiger. The park is located in the
Jember and Banyuwangi regencies.

In 1976, it was determined that there were only four or five
Javanese tigers remaining. The last time one was spotted was in
1990.

Since then, there has been no indication as to whether the
animal is still in existence or not, Sarkan Teniriadi, head of
the office, told Antara yesterday.

To declare the animal extinct, conservationists need some
evidence to support that claim, he said.

He proposed the launching of a major research operation, by
local and international agencies which are concerned about the
wild life, to determine the fate of the tiger.(emb)