Sumatran Tiger Kills 12-Year-Old Boy in Riau, Authorities Step Up Vigilance

A 12-year-old boy has been killed by a Sumatran tiger in Pelalawan Regency, Riau, this week. The head of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), Supartono, said the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday (7/7) within a Timber Plantation Industrial Forest Business Permit (PBPH-HTI) area in Sungai Ara Village, Pelalawan District. According to the investigation, the victim was attacked at around 4.30 a.m. local time while outside the workers’ camp bathroom. The boy had been accompanying his older sibling, who was washing dishes at the bathroom facility. In response to the report, the Riau BBKSDA has installed camera traps at the location. ‘The team is currently installing camera traps around the incident site,’ Supartono said in Pekanbaru on Friday (10/7). He explained that the tiger suddenly dragged the victim, likely entering through a damaged and open section of the camp’s rear protective fence. The victim was found approximately 10 metres behind the camp with wounds to both sides of his neck. According to field measurements, the camp is located about 5.3 kilometres from Zamrud National Park and 5.7 kilometres from the Riau Ecosystem Restoration (RER) area. The team also identified signs of a Sumatran tiger around the camp, including footprints measuring 16 cm in length and 15 cm in width, with a maximum stride distance of 120 cm. As a precaution, the BBKSDA has urged all residents, workers, and companies operating near tiger habitats to remain vigilant and avoid solitary activities, especially at night and during the early hours. ‘The Riau BBKSDA team will continue to carry out measured handling efforts with relevant parties, prioritising both human safety and the conservation of the protected Sumatran tiger,’ Supartono stated.