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)