Sumatran tiger under threat
Jon Afrizal, Muko Muko, Bengkulu
The population of the Sumatran tiger (panthera tigris Sumatraensis) in the forest of Muko Muko regency, Bengkulu province, is progressively dwindling. If in the past decade the tiger population numbered in the dozens, now fewer than 10 are thought to remain due to rampant illegal logging and poaching, which continue unabated. Only eight tigers are living in their natural habitat in the conservation forest managed by PT Agro Muko, a private plantation company.
There were only six tigers not long ago, aged in their teens and measuring up to 1.5 meters in length. Their numbers rose to eight after two females gave birth to a cub each in the middle of the year. "There could be other tigers not accounted for," general manager of PT Agro Muko, Yazid Ibrahim, told The Jakarta Post.
The wildlife habitat managed by PT Agro Muko was designated a conservation area when the company was issued a forest concession and began operations in 1988. The conservation area encompasses seven locations of 2,235 hectares of the total 22,000 hectares of forest concession for oil palm and rubber plantations.
The Muko Muko forest preserve on is on the forests' western flank and the Kerinci Seblat National Park on the eastern flank.
Various species of trees can be found, such as the sungkai, pulai and mahogany, measuring more than 40 centimeters in diameter and reaching dozens of meters tall. The area is also home to a number of bird species, like the hornbill and turtledove.
The tigers depend totally on prey for food, such as the deer and wild boar which abound in the area.
The agricultural officer of PT Agro Muko, Sukardi, said problems such as poaching and illegal logging threatened the very existence of tigers in the area. At least two tigers are thought to be killed in the conservation area each year for their body parts, such as skin, teeth and whiskers. The latest poacher was arrested early this year.
Besides rampant illegal logging in Tanahretak, which is located outside the conservation area, the nearby freshwater Lebar Lake, measuring 65 hectares, in which crocodiles live, is also prone to environmental damage.
"Illegal logging methods, such as digging water channels, has gradually drained water from the lake," he said.
He also said that logging activities in various locations had led to conflict between man and tiger, with at least one attack on humans every year. No data is available on the exact number of lives claimed.