Sumatra Tiger Slayings Possibly Due to Illegal Trade, Not Conflict with Humans

Fidelis E. Satriastanti, Jakarta Globe 6 Mar 09;

The trapping and killing of three endangered Sumatran tigers by residents of Indragiri Hilir district, Riau Province, in February, may have been related to the illegal trade in tiger body parts, an official said on Monday.

It had previously been reported that the tigers were killed near Tanjung Pasar village because residents felt threatened by the animals. Two tigers were killed on Feb.10 and the last was found dead on Feb. 16.

“We are still investigating the case but there are strong indications that the killings were also a part of the illegal trade in tigers,” said Syahimin, head of technical affairs at Riau’s Natural Resources of Conservation Center.

He said his office had already detained two villagers who were believed to have trapped and killed the tigers but they have not yet officially been named as suspects.

“We’re still questioning them and trying to develop a case on the possibility of illegal trading rather than on conflict issues,” he said. “One of villagers has already confessed to having sold a slain tiger but we’re still looking for more evidence.”

Meanwhile, Syamsidar, spokeswoman of the Riau branch of the World Wildlife Fund, or WWF, said it appeared the trappings were carried out by people with experience catching tigers.

“The traps couldn’t have been set up by ordinary people; professional expertise would’ve been needed to catch the tigers,” she said.

She said the killings were reported as being carried out by local villagers because the tigers had been spotted close to villages.

“The reports said the villagers took the initiative to prevent the tigers from attacking first, but they shouldn’t have acted on their own,” she said. “They should have contacted the authorities.”

She said she was worried that opportunists may have taken advantage of the situation in order to profit from the tigers.

“We all know that [Sumatran] tigers are worth a lot, so it’s possible some people may have convinced the locals to move against the tigers,” she said.

The total population of Sumatran tigers is thought to be less than 500, and continuing loss of habitat, illegal trade and conflict with humans are pushing them towards extinction.

Based on Ministry of Forestry data, an average of 33 tigers are killed each year — often for to be stuffed of for their fur — though more killings go unrecorded.

The price of a preserved full-grown tiger starts at Rp 25 million ($2,250) on the black market, while furs are sold for between Rp 12 million and Rp 25 million.