42 Sumatran Tigers Roam Bengkulu As Conservation Efforts Continue

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- At least 42 Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) are found to be still surviving and roaming in the forests of Bengkulu province, on Sumatra’s west coast, Indonesian’s conservation agency said. 

While their sightings present hope, new field studies from 2020 to mid-2025 also revealed concern, as ongoing threats such as poaching and deforestation continue to endanger the species, according to the Bengkulu-Lampung Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA).

The agency and its partner organisations detected the tigers in Bukit Balai Rejang Selatan, Seblat, and Bukit Balai Rejang using camera traps and patrol records.

“We recorded 1,860 photos from 16 camera traps over 52 days in Seblat between March and May this year,” said BKSDA Bengkulu-Lampung head Himawan Sasongko in a statement.

The footage showed tiger activity in the Air Rami, Lebong Kandis, and Ipuh I areas, alongside other wildlife such as tapirs, muntjacs, sambar deer, Sumatran elephants, clouded leopards, golden cats, and dholes.

“These results confirm Seblat as an important habitat for the Sumatran tiger and other species that help maintain ecosystem balance,” he said.

BKSDA, the local government, and non-governmental organisations will continue Focus Group Discussions to verify data accuracy and plan future conservation efforts.

This monitoring effort also reflects a shared commitment to sustaining the Sumatran tiger’s natural habitat and raising public awareness about forest and wildlife conservation, Himawan added.

-- BERNAMA