JAKARTA, Indonesia - Thursday, August 4th 2011 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- “Putri” has a new home and is now safely roaming the forests of Sembilang National Park on Betet Island of South Sumatra, marking a moving success story of public-private partnership that saved the life of a rare Sumatran Tiger.
Putri, which means Princess in Indonesian, is a 5-year-old Sumatran Tiger that got caught up in a human-tiger conflict in Jambi Province on the island of Sumatra. Today, after months of a painstaking process involving numerous local and central government organizations, wildlife and conservation experts, private companies and NGOs, the regal animal was set free in a new safe haven where she can continue to flourish and be part of the continued regeneration of the species.
“This is a marvelous success story for Indonesia that demonstrates the power of partnership and what we can accomplish when we unite together to address the challenges we face as a country. The Sumatran tiger is a national treasure and a symbol of our rich history. It is imperative that as a nation we work together to ensure the health and longevity of this species for generations to come. I applaud the efforts of these organizations coming together to achieve this goal,” said Mr. Zulkifli Hassan, the Indonesian Minister of Forestry.
Mr. Hassan was joined by representatives of The Natural Resources Conservation Agency of South Sumatra (BKSDA), the Sumatran Tiger Conservation Foundation (YPHS), Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP), PT Sumber Hijau Permai, Sembilang National Park, and Safari Park Indonesia at the release site. All groups played a role in bringing the tiger safely to its new home.
“The process of safely rescuing a tiger that has come into contact with humans, caring for it while we find a suitable location for a new home and then orchestrating a safe release is extremely delicate. It requires careful planning and involvement of so many groups working together and working on behalf of the tiger,” said Bastoni (single name), YPHS’ veteran conservationist who led the team in capturing Putri and cared for her for several months while preparing for the release.
Putri was rescued in an area around PT Sumber Hijau Permai plantation forest in Jambi earlier this year. In line with the Forestry Ministry Decrees on managing wildlife conflict, the BKSDA together with Bastoni was called in to lead a team that tracked the tiger. By modifying a steel cage box trap provided by BKSDA, Bastoni succeeded in the safe capture of the 75-kilo female tiger.
The team transported the tiger to a safe location where APP had built an 8x6x2 meter observation enclosure. While awaiting release Putri’s identity was recorded and she underwent medical checks performed by a team of veterinarians from Safari Park Indonesia. Putri was found to be in good health for release, was well-cared for and was provided a diet of live preywhile Bastoni’s team identified the potential location for the safe relocation.
Sembilang National Park, a 205,750-hectares national park officially established in 2001, was identified as an ideal relocation habitat for Putri. This was determined after the relocation survey team, headed by Bastoni together with the BKSDA team, found ample availability of live prey, abundance of fresh water and large dryland for tiger range. Before the release Putri was fitted with a GPS collar that allows her to be identified and monitored in the new habitat for safety.
“We are so proud to be part of a team of such dedicated and committed experts who share a common goal, to help ensure the safety of Putri as well as people living and working in the forests of Jambi. We are working together to find ways for people and tigers to live harmoniously,” said Aida Greenbury, APP Managing Director.
Bastoni and YPHS, which is supported by APP, are part of the Tiger Working Group (TWG), which acts as an intermediary when villagers come into conflict with tiger populations. The organization has developed programs to enhance tiger survival, including community education and monitoring efforts to combat illegal forest encroachment and poaching, tiger surveillance and research using radio collars and camera traps, and programs to reduce the risk of conflict between tigers and humans.
For more information please visit, www.rainforestrealities.com.
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Contacts
Australia
Miriam Tulevski, PPR, 0419 425 455
app.australia@cohnwolfe.com
North America
Cohn & Wolfe
Jim Martinez, 312-596-3315
CWUS-APPAmericas@cohnwolfe.com
UK
Cohn & Wolfe Media Team Email: app.ukteam@cohnwolfe.com
or
Indonesia
Aniela Maria, APP Indonesia
aniela_maria@app.co.id
Bastoni, Yayasan Pelestarian Harimau Sumatra (YPHS)
Email: toni_bst@yahoo.co.id
Mobile: +62-0813 657 111 60
Address: Jalan Sadar No. 25 Simpung Tetap Darul Ikhsan
Dumai Barat, Kota Fumai-Riau
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