Relocation Supported by Asia Pulp & Paper as part of ongoing tiger conservation programmes
JAKARTA, Indonesia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Foundation (YPHS) has today announced the successful rescue and planned relocation of an endangered two-year-old Sumatran tiger. The tiger, named Bima, was rescued in Riau Province, after being caught in human-tiger conflict.
This follows the successful rescue last August of another Sumatran tiger, named Putri, which was subsequently relocated to Sembilang National Park, in eastern Sumatra. The two rescues were both supported by Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP), which has been a long standing partner of the YPHS.
"We are thrilled to have rescued Bima, and to have added him to the ranks of the Sumatran tigers that we have helped protect," said Bastoni (single name), the senior YPHS conservationist, who led the team that saved Putri and cared for the tiger for several months before its eventual release in Sembilang National Park.
"Our relocation process is extremely delicate. Safely rescuing a tiger that has come into contact with humans, conducting a thorough medical assessment, ensuring it remains safe and healthy, and ready to be returned back to wild, is our objective. Orchestrating a successful release is a precarious undertaking marked by months of meticulous planning and hard work," he said.
Human tiger conflict has existed in Indonesia for thousands of years. According to some independent reports, tiger numbers have declined due to poaching. Tonny Sumampouw, a wildlife expert from Safari Park Indonesia, said growing human populations in Sumatra are the main cause of the increasing human-tiger conflict in Sumatra. The YPHS organisation was set up to address these issues, and to protect both villagers and tigers by relocating the animals to less populous areas that offer conditions in which they can thrive.
The rescue of Bima took place last month. In line with the Forestry Ministry's decrees on managing wildlife conflict, the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), together with Bastoni's team, lead a task force to track and protect the male tiger. As was the case with Putri, Bastoni was able to successfully rescue Bima.
The team has transported Bima to a safe location in the heart of the Sumatran forest, where APP has built an observation point designed to protect wildlife in transfer. The observation process began last week. Bima was recorded and underwent a comprehensive series of medical checks by a team of veterinarian experts from Taman Safari Indonesia (Safari Park Indonesia) to ensure his wellbeing.
Bima was found to be in stable condition and good health. The animal continues to be well-cared for and is fed a natural and healthy diet of live prey, while Bastoni's team identifies a potential locale for its safe relocation and ultimate release back into the wild.
Aida Greenbury, Managing Director of APP, said: "We're delighted that Bima's rescue and relocation is now underway, and that he will soon be able to live a long healthy life in his new home. Ultimately, our goal is to increase the numbers of Sumatran tigers and to provide a more sustainable habitat for this native Indonesian endangered species."
"Our partnership with YPHS demonstrates that responsible private enterprise, governments and NGOs can collaborate successfully in Indonesia, right now, to create long-term strategies to protect our natural heritage. But we can't do this alone. We are looking forward to further successful partnerships with concerned stakeholders from the wider world who are concerned about the tiger population in Sumatra, such as other private companies, governments and committed NGOs such as YPHS," said Ms. Greenbury.
Bastoni and the YPHS, with the support of the Indonesian government and APP, are part of the Tiger Working Group, which acts as an intermediary when villagers come into conflict with tigers. The organisation has developed programs to enhance tiger survival, including community education and monitoring efforts to combat illegal forest encroachment and poaching, tiger surveillance and research using radio collars and camera traps, and programs to reduce the risk of human-tiger conflict.
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About YPHS:
The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Foundation (YPHS) is a national non-profit organization who works on protecting and preserving the population of Sumatran tigers. Their vision is to preserve the sustainability of Sumatran tigers and to recognize communities who would be able to live harmoniously side by side with wildlife for the purpose of conservation. Several of YPHS' main programs are to identify the habitat of the Sumatran tiger, to handle conflicts between tiger and humans, to take care and relocate conflicted tigers back to their habitat, to build awareness of the importance of the Sumatran tiger, and to educate and provide ideas on how to increase the population of the Sumatran tiger.
About APP:
Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) is a brand umbrella for paper products which are produced by several mills in Indonesia such as PT Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk, PT Pindo Deli Pulp & Paper Mills, PT Pabrik Kertas Tjiwi Kimia Tbk, PT Lontar Papyrus Pulp & Paper Industries, PT Ekamas Fortuna and PT The Univenus. APP's is headquartered in Indonesia and markets its product to more than 120 countries. Most of APP's production facilities are Chain-of-Custody certified by LEI and PEFC.
APP supports several main conservation initiatives, including a 172,000 hectare Biosphere Reserve in Giam Siak Kecil - Bukit Batu and an area of 106,000 hectare for the Senepis Tiger Sanctuary. Both are located in the province of Riau, Sumatera. Other APP wildlife preservation initiatives include the support of the Kutai Orangutan Program in Kalimantan and the conservation of the Javan Rhino in the Ujung Kulon National Park.
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Contacts
APP Indonesia
Aniela Maria
aniela_maria@app.co.id
or
Bastoni, Yayasan Pelestarian Harimau Sumatra (YPHS)
Email: toni_bst@yahoo.co.id
Mobile: +62-0813 657 111 60
Address: Jalan Sadar No. 25 Simpung Tetap Darul Ikhsan Dumai Barat, Kota Dumai-Riau