Indonesia: Again, tiger injured after being illegally trapped in Bengkulu

Antara 20 Feb 12;

Bengkulu, Sumatra (ANTARA News) - An injured sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) was rescued after it was found illegally trapped in Air Rami industrial forest, North Bengkulu, Sumatra Island.

This follows a similar incident that took place in Lebong District, Bengkulu last month.

It is understood that the tiger was trapped on February 12, only to be discovered on February 15, in the forest, around 180 km from Bengkulu City, Amon Zamora, the chairman of the Bengkulu Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA) said, on Monday.

BKSDA officers evacuated the tiger after walking for three days to reach the location.

The tiger was given medical treatment and two of its toes had to be amputated by a team of vet surgeons.

The tiger is expected to be moved to Bengkulu City for further treatment.

In January, a sumatran tiger injured in a trap in Bengkulu and transferred to Bogor for treatment, died during surgery at the Safari Park Veterinary Hospital in Cisarua.

The endangered animal, which had sustained serious injuries after falling into the trap in the protected Gedang Hulu Lais forest, died while being treated in intensive care by a team of doctors.

Local residents, who had found the trapped animal, apparently tried to kill it with spears.

But the tiger survived the assault and was rescued and evacuated to Bengkulu city by BKSDA personnel and police.

(F001/INE)

Editor: Ade Marboen