Two Bengal Tiger Cubs Die, Ministry of Forestry Urged to Audit Bandung Zoo

The environmental and wildlife conservation organisation Geopix is urging the Ministry of Forestry to conduct a comprehensive audit of animal conditions at Bandung Zoo after the deaths of two Bengal tiger cubs. This call aims to ensure that animal welfare standards and conservation management practices are operating in accordance with regulations.

Geopix Senior Wildlife Campaigner Annisa Rahmawati stated that the audit must be carried out independently and transparently by the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation. “We urge the Directorate General of KSDAE not only to conduct administrative evaluations but to immediately perform a thorough, independent, and transparent audit of animal health conditions, feeding, enclosures, and management,” Annisa said in an official statement on Friday (27/3/2026).

Annisa emphasised that if serious violations are found, firm actions including the option of animal relocation must be taken immediately. She assessed that animal deaths in conservation institutions reflect systemic failures in management and oversight that cannot be ignored.

“The deaths of the two Bengal tiger cubs due to a virus may reflect a welfare crisis for animals that must not be normalised,” Annisa said.

Geopix believes the Ministry of Forestry bears full responsibility for ensuring animal welfare, management standards, and oversight of conservation institutions align with international conservation principles and national laws. The audit is deemed essential to prevent similar cases from recurring.

The organisation also noted that the animal death incident adds to the list of unresolved governance issues at Bandung Zoo that have not been addressed transparently.

Geopix called for immediate mitigation steps to prevent virus transmission to other animals, particularly those from the Felidae family, and to anticipate potential zoonotic impacts on humans.

“We also remind that conservation institutions like zoos are not places for exploiting wild animals for tourism but spaces for protecting wild animal populations,” Annisa said.

Previously, the two Bengal tiger cubs named Hara and Huru died at Bandung Zoo due to Feline Panleukopenia virus infection after experiencing several disease symptoms before succumbing.