Javanese tiger already extinct

Javanese tiger already extinct

SURABAYA, East Java: Javanese tigers (panthera tigris sondaica) in the Meru Betiri National Park in the regencies of Jember and Banyuwangi are no longer being sighted and may be extinct, an official says.

"Observations with automatic cameras installed in Meru Betiri suggest that the Javanese tiger is extinct," the head of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Sudarmadji, said yesterday.

The Antara news agency reported yesterday that the ministry of forestry had earlier installed 10 cameras in the national park.

Sudarmadji said in Probolinggo on Thursday that the cameras had recorded only deer and boars.

"Locals have claimed seeing tigers and their foot prints and scratches on trees," Sudarmadji said. "But the cameras did not record any." (anr)