JAKARTA, Indonesia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Natural Resources Conservation Agency of South Sumatra (BKSDA) and Sumatran Tiger Conservation Foundation (YPHS), supported by Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP), are set to relocate a tiger from an area which has seen recent human-wildlife conflict. At the same time, APP has announced new policies developed with YPHS for wildlife conservation in its pulpwood supplier concession areas - designed to ensure the protection of tigers, elephants and orang-utans, with the ultimate ambition that human and wildlife can co-exist.

Led by BKSDA and YPHS' veteran tiger conservationist Bastoni (single name), the team embarked on a detailed assessment of the pattern of human-tiger conflict in an area in South Sumatra, a few kilometres from Bukit Sembilang National Park. They concluded there were two or three tigers which could be relocated.

After setting humane traps, one tiger was captured safely. APP also funded construction of a large observation enclosure in a conservation area where the tiger was safely kept for several weeks while the team and other tiger experts studied its behaviour, monitored its health and searched for an area which would be suitable for relocation. Before undertaking relocation, it was also a requirement to order a special tiger 'collar' - a GPS device which allows the big cat to be identified and monitored in its new habitat.

BKSDA and YPHS, working with a team from the National Park, have found a large and safe area which has the three critical requirements, which are the right amount of fresh water, live prey and dry land that creates a suitable environment where tigers can thrive. With the GPS collar attached, the plan is to relocate the tiger during the month of August.

Bastoni said:

"Now we have found the right habitat, we are near the time for moving this tiger to its new home. Each relocation is a painstaking process which can take several months. During its period in captivity, our job is to ensure that the tiger is kept in a safe environment which gives it enough space to move around. With the help of APP, we have managed to achieve that."

Bastoni and his team will continue to monitor the area, as part of APP's on-going commitment to avoid human-tiger conflict.

Working with Bastoni and YPHS, APP has now issued new procedures for all pulpwood supplier concession areas, to ensure that critical species such as tigers, elephants and orang-utans are protected and there is no risk to the safety of workers or people living in the surrounding areas. New policies cover ongoing assessment of wildlife activity in and around concession areas, regular patrols and protocols for immediately reporting incidents for rapid response.

Aida Greenbury, APP's Managing Director, said:

"For centuries, tiger appearances in populated areas have largely been stopped by killing or hunting down the animals. Working in the forest with experts like Bastoni and YPHS, we can create ways for people and tigers to live harmoniously. APP's vision is to help create an environmental landscape which caters for the entire ecosystem of Sumatra and will do so for generations to come."

Bastoni and YPHS are part of the Tiger Working Group (TWG), which acts as an intermediary when villagers come into conflict with tiger populations. The organization has developed programs to enhance tiger survival, including education and monitoring efforts to combat illegal logging and encroachment, tiger surveillance and research using radio collars and camera traps, and programs to reduce the risk of conflict by posting signs and erecting fences to separate tigers and humans.

For more information please visit, www.rainforestrealities.com.

Notes for Editor:

About YPHS

Yayasan Pelestarian Harimau Sumatera (Sumatran Tiger Conservation Foundation/YPHS) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to protect and conserve the population of the Sumatran Tiger. The vision of YPHS is the sustainable conservation of the Sumatran Tiger and achieving a community that can live peacefully with wildlife for conservation purposes.

YPHS's main programs are identifying the habitat of the Sumatran Tiger, managing human-tiger conflict, treating and relocating conflict tiger back to its habitat, building community's awareness of the importance of protecting the Sumatran Tiger and explaining ways and ideas to raise the population of the Sumatran Tiger.

About APP

APP is brand umbrella for paper products manufactured by a number of mills in Indonesia and China. APP is headquartered in Indonesia and markets its products to over 120 countries. The majority of APP's production facilities hold Chain-of-Custody certification from LEI and PEFC.

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Contacts

Australia
Miriam Tulevski, PPR Sydney
Phone: 0419 425 455
Email: app.australia@cohnwolfe.com
or
North America
Cohn & Wolfe
Jim Martinez, 312-596-3315
Email: Jim.Martinez@cohnwolfe.com
or
UK
Cohn & Wolfe Media Team Email: app.ukteam@cohnwolfe.com
or
Indonesia
APP Indonesia
Aniela Maria
Email: aniela_maria@app.co.id
or
Yayasan Pelestarian Harimau Sumatra (YPHS)
Bastoni, +62-0813 657 111 60
Email: toni_bst@yahoo.co.id
Address: Jalan Sadar No. 25 Simpung Tetap Darul Ikhsan
Dumai Barat, Kota Fumai-Riau