Tragedy of Bengal Tiger Cubs' Death at Bandung Zoo: West Java DPRD Urges Governance Improvements
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG — West Java DPRD Vice Chairman Ono Surono expressed concern over the death of two Bengal tiger cubs at Bandung Zoo on Tuesday (24/3/2026). This incident is seen not merely as an ordinary mishap but as a reflection of long-standing management issues.
The two cubs, named Huru and Hara, were reported to have died from infection with feline panleukopenia virus, a disease that commonly affects cats and similar animals with a high fatality rate, particularly in young ones. This death has drawn attention to the conditions of animal care at the zoo.
According to Ono, this tragedy could have been anticipated long ago. He assessed that protracted management conflicts and weak attention from both central and local governments were the main factors exacerbating the situation.
“There are several important notes. The Bandung City Government should have ensured from the outset that all animals receive optimal care, from sufficient feed to health services,” said Ono on Thursday (26/3/2026).
He also highlighted the role of the relevant ministry that has authority over zoo licensing and supervision. According to him, the supervisory function has not been running maximally, so maintenance standards are not fully met.
Ono alluded to the existence of a foundation whose permit has been revoked but is still involved in independent management. This situation is worsened by limited funding that only relies on public donations, thus impacting the declining quality of feed and animal care.
Ono revealed that he had visited Bandung Zoo in August 2025 and brought a message from Megawati Soekarnoputri regarding an offer of cooperation in animal maintenance with other zoos, such as Ragunan Zoo and Surabaya Zoo.
However, according to him, that offer was not followed up seriously by the city government. “At that time, there was already a rescue option, including animal relocation. But it was not responded to optimally. Now we see the impact,” he said.
Ono urged all parties to immediately coordinate to carry out comprehensive improvements. He emphasised the importance of care standards that include feed quality, cage cleanliness, and routine health checks.
“Do not let this incident happen again. The government must take quick steps, whether by relocating animals to other zoos or ensuring sufficient funding for animal welfare,” he stated.
Huru and Hara were the offspring of the parent pair Shah Rukh Khan and Jelita, born on 12 July 2025. Both were introduced to the public in September 2025 and became a special attraction for visitors.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of professional and animal welfare-oriented zoo management, especially for rare species that require special attention.