Sumatran tiger population entered a critical stage, live 400

Sumatran tiger population entered a critical stage, live 400

Sumatran tiger population is predicted under 400.

The decline in the population of endangered species in Asia has entered a critical stage. In Indonesia, the number of tigers left only less than 400 individuals, despite government measures to increase the tiger population has been started since 2010.

Based on research conducted periodically, environmental conservation agency World Wildlife Fund, WWF, predict the number of tigers continues to decline. Signs of decline in tiger populations appear in several areas in Sumatra, especially in Riau.

Elephant and Tiger Conservation Coordinator WWF Indonesia, Sunarto, said the tiger population in northern Riau region used to be quite solid. However, when it arguably does not exist, except in a relatively small forest blocks in Senepis.

Later in the south who have very severe deforestation, including in the areas of Tesso Nilo, tigers found lately is very little.

"This is a strong indication that the tiger has decreased or even disappeared in places damaged or fragmented habitat," said Sunarto.

encroachment

The cause of the decline in the Sumatran tiger population, according Sunarto, quite diverse. However, the main one is the encroachment and conversion to oil palm plantations.

It is agreed Rusmadya Maharuddin, Indonesian Greenpeace forest campaigner. Lodging in Riau, according to him, deforestation and land conversion occurs in Senepis, Rimbang Baling, and Park Hill Thirty. The deforestation rate is practically destroying the natural habitat of tigers and other animals.

Problem deforestation never examined a former researcher at the Ministry of Forestry and now works at the University of Maryland, USA, Belinda Tanuwijaya. He said Indonesia beat Brazil deforestation figures covering 460,000 hectares, a year after logging moratorium imposed. However, the Ministry said that the rate of deforestation is much smaller than the results of these studies.

"If we look at Sumatra, the only remaining forest is 25% up to a maximum of 27%. Then the tiger population under 400. These two figures are connected, "said Nyoman Iswarayoga, director of WWF Indonesia.

Action and act hunter encroachment into the causes of the decline of tiger populations.

act hunter

Besides encroachment, poaching also have a negative impact on the tiger population. Elephant and Tiger Conservation Coordinator WWF Indonesia, Sunarto, admitted often find special snares used to trap the tiger. Then there is a snare for tiger prey species.

"The tiger is unique in the sense that the prey animal weights over 20 pounds, such as elk, deer, and wild boar. If animals were increasingly rare, hard to get a tiger and prey populations is threatened, "said Sunarto.

The Sumatran tiger population decline, especially in Riau, occurred although the government has launched an effort to raise the number of animals since 2010. To illustrate the severity of these efforts, extensive forests in Riau reached hundreds of thousands of hectares that should be kept a handful of officers.

"We have 426,000 hectares. Forests in Rimbang Baling only 90's of thousands of hectares. While the number of forest rangers are not comparable with the total area, "said Kamal Amas, head of the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) Riau. (BBC)