Indonesia: residents kill Sumatran tiger

Antara 17 Oct 11;

Padangpariaman, West Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Residents in Sikuliek village, Nagari Sungai Buluh, Batang Anai sub-district, Padangpariaman regency of West Sumatra, shot dead a Sumatran Tiger (Panthera Tigris Sumatrae).

The wild animal had to be shot dead by the pig hunters as it entered one of the pig traps, Batang Anai sub-district head Syofriyon said here Monday.

He said according to reports from the Nagari authorities, the animal was found by the residents to have entered one of the pig traps on Saturday 4 kilometers from the nearest homes.

"For fear, the residents and pig hunters shot dead the intruding and apparently hungry tiger without first notifying nor discussing it with the nagari and sub-district authorities," he said in a tone of regret.

The killing of the tiger came to the attention of the local people and authorities only on Sunday.

He said that in Padangpariaman, it had been a local tradition that a caught or trapped tiger needs to be given special ceremonies before deciding what to do with it.

In the meantime, Batang Anai police chief Ajunct Police Inspector Ali A Nazar said that the tiger or what was left of it was still missing without trace.

He and the West Sumatra natural conservation agency (BKSDA) were still trying to find out what had really happened.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli