VIVAnews - In the last three weeks, four Sumatran tigers have been slaughtered by local inhabitants. This has been the impact of the conflict occurred in Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau.
The first killing took place on 10 January. Two young tigers, male and female, were died of being roped by people. A week later, on Feb 16, one tiger was killed. Today, Feb 26, one mature tiger was also killed.
According to Public Relations Officer of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) of Riau, Syamsidar, the massacre was a form of people's disappointment claiming that within a month the wild animal has been in and out of the village.
Moreover, the cattle belonging to the villagers have been preyed by the tigers. "The government should handle the conflict as soon as possible," Syamsidar said on Thursday, Feb 26.
The reason is that, said Syamsidar, whatever reason that the villagers had, killing endangered animals is not allowed. The authorized party is only the Department of Forestry through Natural Resources Conservation Agency," he said.
Based on WWF data, the four killed animals were estimated to have come from Kerumutan Protection Forest, which is adjacent to Pelisiran Subdistrict in Indragiri Hilir Regency.
Kerumutan Protection Forest is one of various tiger's habitats in Riau. Tigers are usually forced to leave their habitats for the villages nearby because the forest is already damaged.
As a result, tigers will seek for prey outside of their habitat and enter the surrounding villages, said Syamsidar.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) of Riau, Joni Esmundung, said the killing was the impact of the economic pressure.
Coverage: Hafiz Hasian | Riau
Translated by: Bonardo Maulana Wahono
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