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)