Tiger study will be made public

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: The Sumatran Tiger Project's study of tigers in Way Kambas National Park will soon be made public, Antara reported Friday.

Lampung University Mathematics and Natural Sciences lecturer Herawati Soekardi said that the results will be on view during the 15th National Biological Seminar on July 24 to July 26 at the university.

Fear spread among residents living in nearby locally protected forestry reserves and villages following a series of attacks by tigers.

Some people attributed the attacks to the dwindling habitat of the tigers. Three people died in the attacks, and several others were injured.

An estimated 25 healthy tigers roam the 160,000-hectare preserved forest which hosts a number of rare species.

State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja is slated to open the seminar, which will be attended by about 700 people. Approximately 360 scientific papers will be discussed. (swe)