Indonesia: Infrared cameras monitoring wildlife in Kerinci Seblat park

Antara 26 Feb 11;

Jambi, Jambi (ANTARA News) - The Sumatran Tiger Patrol Team of The Forest Ranger Squad of Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) has installed infrared cameras in several parts of the park to monitor wildlife existing in the areas.

"We have installed dozens of infrared cameras called Camera Trap in some forests inside TNKS in the Kerinci-Jambi, West Sumatra, and Bengkulu regions," Field Manager of the Sumatran Tiger Patrol Team (PHS) Risdianto said here Saturday.

At least 20 sophisticated cameras that can automatically record the movement of any animal passing by through its body temperature had been installed and were now fully operational.

The main target of the cameras would be the movements and developments of the Sumatran tiger (Panthera Tigris Sumatrae) whose population in TNKS was endangered, Risdianto said, adding that the cameras would also record the behavior and conditions of other wildlife inside the park.

The cameras had already enabled the park authority to catch pictures of some animals that were considered extinct such as Kerinci Hares, Golden Cats, Tohtor Birds, and Long-fanged Jaguars.

According to Risdianto, the high-tech infrared cameras were effectively used for monitoring as they were very reliable and supported by batteries which could last for more than two months.

The Camera Trap method has been widely used as well by tiger researchers around the world to study the tiger population.

The Forest Ecosystem Management Team (PEH) cooperating with the forest rangers had managed to document some carnivores and ungulates in a part of TNKS forest.

"The team managed to take pictures of a female Sumatran Tiger and her cubs," Risdianto said.

The team also documented a golden melanistic cat in video record, Risdianto said, adding that it might be the world`s first video of golden melanistic cat.

There were an estimated 140 Sumatran Tigers, one third of the total population in Sumatra (500), dwelling in the TNKS.

The Kerinci Seblat National Park has been stated as a Level I Tiger Conservation Landscape, a conservation area for the Sumatran Tiger.

The national park has become the habitat for five wildcats of eight species in Indonesia that it has significant roles for the preservation of thousands of wildlife.

Some efforts, such as law enforcements, survey or studies are made to preserve the nature in the national park and also the existence of the Sumatran tigers and the wildlife, Risbianto said.(*)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani