Tigers terrorize villagers in Jambi

JAMBI, Jambi: Police here said on Thursday they are hunting at least five Sumatra tigers that are terrorizing villagers from Sungai Asam in the Kerinci regency.

Kerinci Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Edi Purwanto said a search was underway after police and staff from the Kerinci Seblat National Park discovered traces of at least five tigers near the village, some 410 kilometers from Jambi city.

"The group of tigers has reportedly injured several villagers working at a plantation and now local residents are afraid of go to work there again," he said.

Edi said the tigers (Panthera tigris Sumatrae) had left the national park due to continued illegal logging and the subsequent loss of habitat.

He said the police would use tranquilizer to repatriate the tigers in the national park.

Last month, two tigers were also found roaming at Sungai Jernih and Sungaining villages in Sungai Penuh subdistrict. They also attacked several local people. --Antara