Sumatran tigers on the verge of extinction
Jon Afrizal, Jambi
The numbers of Sumatran tigers in the province of Jambi are increasingly dwindling due to poaching, conservationists say.
About 100 of the tigers, or panthera tigris sumatrae, still live in local reservations. However, while administrations have passed laws protecting the tigers, they only pay lip-service to enforcing them. If this situation continues, conservationists expect the province's mascot will be extinct in 10 to 20 years.
Based on Jambi Conservation Agency (BKSDA) data, in 1999 there were about 150 to 200 tigers living in forests and underbrush in the province. As many as 150 tigers lived in the Kerinci Seblat, Berbak, Bukit Tigapuluh and Bukit Duabelas national parks and in the Bulian Durian Luncuk natural reserve.
The rest lived in tiger conservation zones -- the PT Asiatic Persada plantation and PT Asialog forest concession areas in Sungai Bahar, Muarojambi; the Sumatra Orangutan Reintroduction Center and Elephant Habitat at the PT Regunas Agri Utani plantation in Tebo; and the Mentok Rimbi conservation area in East Tanjungjabung.
"But, there may be only 50 percent of these protected animals alive now because of poaching and the diminishing number of enclosed forests," technical coordinator of Jambi BKSDA Titin Heryatin told The Jakarta Post recently.
In order to prevent the tigers' extinction, the government is trying to breed tigers. But a lack of breeding grounds has led to difficulties. In 1996, The agency requested the government establish the Senami Forest Park in Batanghari as a breeding area and asked for US$1 billion to develop the project. However, no concrete progress has yet been made on the plan, and the park is still an idea in discussion.
Breeding difficulties are aggravated by the dwindling number of tigers. While the BKSDA had requested that former forest concession areas be established as animal refuges, the government has made no move in that direction.
Titin said increasingly fragmented tiger habitats had contributed to the drop in the population. "(Tigers) are incapable of breeding if male and female tigers are separated and the number of prey animals, like deer and mousedeer, must always be ample," she said.
To prevent tigers from extinction, the government should designate several areas beyond the national parks as conservation areas for tigers, she said.
Rampant poaching is another problem the government has to address to prevent the tigers' extinction.
An officer of the Jambi BKSDA forest rangers, Budi Priyono, said many criminal syndicates and residents living around tiger areas were involved in poaching.
After being shot or captured, tigers were taken to Malaysia or Singapore. "The chances of a tiger trading syndicate being involved (in poaching) is high. They are well-organized and it's difficult to trace them," he said.
The BKSDA coordinates with the police to investigate poaching and to cut the international trade links. Those who violate Law No.5/1990 could be sentenced to up to five years' prison and fined a maximum of Rp 100 million, he said.
This illegal hunting of tigers has also distressed the animals and led to more frequent attacks on humans.
BKSDA data shows that from 1983 to 2002, 12 people died in 22 attacks on people in the province.