Tiger breeding in Lampung

Tiger breeding in Lampung

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Tiger Project, an international
organization concerned with tigers' survival, is trying to breed
the endangered Sumatran tiger in the Way Kambas National Park.

Chief of the provincial forestry office Eko Wardoyo and chief
of the conservation office Harjanto told Antara yesterday the
Sumatran tiger population has been dwindling at an alarming rate
due to poaching.

Harjanto said tigers also multiply slowly. He added that
development projects, such as plantations, are threatening their
habitat.

Last year a tiger devoured a villager. The incident indicated
that the dwindling habitat forced the beasts to encroach on human
settlements, he said.

The Tiger Project will start breeding with between 12 and 15
tigers caught from the general area, he said.

The local government also plans to experiment in breeding two-
horned rhinoceros in the 130,000 hectare park, which is well-
known for its elephant training center. (pan)