Tigers on brink of extinction

BENGKULU, Southern Sumatra: The population of Sumatran tigers (Pathera Tigris Sumatrae) has sharply declined over the last 10 years.

It is feared they will be completely extinct in the coming 10 years.

"It is estimated that there are only 10 tigers left now," the head of the Bengkulu Conservation and Natural Resources Office, Soesilo Legowo, told Antara here yesterday.

He blamed this on slaughter of tigers by villagers and the ever declining area of their habitat.

The villagers kill the tigers because they often enter the villages, causing a panic, Soesilo said.

"The tigers are being forced to leave their habitat because they are hungry. They prey on cattle belonging to the villagers," he said.

Soesilo called on people to help make every effort to save the Sumatran tigers from extinction.

"Let's save the animals from extinction. Otherwise our children will know the tigers only through pictures," he said. (bas)