Sumatran tiger population drops

Sumatran tiger population drops

BANDAR LAMPUNG: The population of Sumatran tigers (Panthera
trigris sumatrensis) in its natural habitat in the Way Kambas
National Park in East Lampung is estimated at only 50, said the
head of the park, Bintoro.

Bintoro said that the limited number of the endangered tiger
had forced his office to strive harder to safeguard it against
any threat, including human encroachment on its habitat.

"The tiger constitutes one of the endangered species, which
have to be tightly protected at the Way Kambas National Park," he
said without giving details.

Bintoro acknowledged that it was a heavy burden to protect the
125,600-hectare park, in which poaching and illegal tree felling
were common.

"Besides arresting illegal hunters, we have also prevented
forest destruction in the area," he said, adding that this year
alone his office had nabbed and processed 12 people suspected of
stealing logs in the park.

Bintoro also expressed concern over rampant hunting, which was
also practiced by military personnel as was uncovered recently.

A group of hunters was arrested last month for killing deer,
one of the tigers' main prey, he said. -- Antara