Dharmasraya West Sumatra, Sunday, February 28, 2021 – Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) are classified as protected species based on Regulation from the Minister of Environment and Forestry No:106 / MENLHK / SETJEN / KUM.1 / 12/2018. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nation (IUCN), they are also included in the list of critically endangered animals.
The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia through the Resource Conservation Center Alam (BKSDA) West Sumatra, Kerinci Seblat National Park Center (BBTNKS), ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation and Indonesian Sintas Foundation, carried out official release of a female Sumatran tiger named “Ciuniang Nurantih” at the Kerinci Seblat National Park area on February 28, 2021.
The 2.5 years old female tiger was a victim of conflict with humans that occurred in Jorong Surantih, Nagari Lubuk Alung, Lubuk Alung District, Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra on July 13, 2020. The West Sumatra BKSDA wildlife rescue team successfully evacuated the tiger and took her to the Dharmasraya Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center (PRHSD) at Nagari Lubuk Besar, Asam Jujuhan District, Dharmasraya, West Sumatra. Since July 14, 2020, Ciuniang Nurantih has undergone a series of health examinations by the ARSARI PR-HSD Medical Team led by Drh. Kartika Amarilis to ensure that her condition is physically and psychologically fit to be released.
Director General of Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems (KSDAE) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Wiratno, elaborated that the government and stakeholders will strive to prevent and solve conflicts between humans and wildlife. When conflict occurs, wild animals often become victims, thus it is important for the people who live around habitat of tigers to have awareness to immediately report to the nearest BKSDA in order to get directions regarding mitigation efforts and handling wildlife conflicts.
“We would like to thank the ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation for cooperation in taking care of Ciuniang Nurantih who has now been released into the wild.”
“We hope that tigers who have been released and can successfully adapt to their natural habitat so that their population can survive in the future,” remarked Wiratno.
The head of West Sumatra KSDA Office, Lugi Hartanto, said that since her rescue from conflict location, Ciuniang Nurantih’s health and behavior were continuously monitored by ARSARI PR-HSD team. Wildlife releases are carried out in accordance with the existing procedures carefully to prevent causing negative impacts on animals, habitats and surrounding communities.
KSNP Center has welcomed the efforts to release Ciuniang back to nature by conducting site surveys at several recommended points. The Acting Head of the KSNP Center, Pratono Puroso, established a team to conduct ground checking on feasibility of release location with the West Sumatra BKSDA and concluded that TNKS area met the criteria as a release location for the Sumatran tiger. An important task that needs to be done is post-release monitoring to ensure Ciuniang is truly safe and comfortable in her ‘new home’.
The release this time was supported by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense in the form of Super Puma NAS 332 Helicopter for Ciuniang’s translocation from ARSARI PR-HSD site to the release location. “The use of this helicopter is not only to shorten travel time, but to ensure that the Sumatran Tiger’s release location guarantees safety for the animal and human cannot easily reach them,” explained Catrini Pratihari Kubontubuh, the Executive Director of YAD. In addition to the use of helicopter to the release location, Catrini continued, ARSARI PR-HSD team has further collaboration with West Sumatra KSDA Office and SINTAS (Save Indonesian Nature and Threatened Species) to install GPS collar on her. “This GPS Collar is intended to monitor Ciuniang’s movement, and anticipate if she is observed approaching a settlement,” said Catrini.
On a separate occasion, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Chairman of ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation (YAD), expressed his appreciation to all parties involved who have supported this release. “We are proud that so early in this year with difficult conditions due to pandemic, we can still witness the return of wild animals to their natural habitats,” Hashim remarked.
Greetings in conservation.
Person in charge:
Head of Public Relations Bureau, KLHK
Nunu Anugrah – 081281331247
Further information:
PLT Head of Kerinci Seblat National Park
Pratono Suroso – 085249928598
PLT Kepala Balai KSDA Sumatera Barat
Lugi Hartanto -0812 3171 7759
Kepala Seksi Konservasi Insitu Direktorat KKH Krismanko Padang 08127865493
Website : www.menlhk.go.id www.ppid.menlhk.go.id