Female Sumatran Tiger Found Dead in a Snare Trap in Riau, Indonesia

Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center received a report from local police that a Sumatran tiger (Panthera Tigris sumatrae) has been found dead in a snare trap in Tanjung Leban village, Bengkalis Regency, Riau, Indonesia on Sunday (17/10/2021).

The ensnared tiger was found in a community production forest, approximately 21.85 km from the Bukit Batu wildlife reserve area.

The discovery originated from a gardener who was working near the killed tiger. The unnamed individual then reported it to the Bukit Batu Sector Police, and forwarded the news to the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center (KSDA).  

The corpse of the snared Sumatran tiger being evacuated. (Photo: Riau BBKSDA doc.)

The tiger is female, a juvenile, and was found  entangled on the left front leg in a snare trap.  

The tiger corpse was immediately evacuated to Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center office in Pekanbaru for a necropsy to find out the exact cause of death and to estimate how long the tiger had been dead.

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The Result of The Necropsy

The medical team from Riau Natural Resource Conservation Center completed the necropsy on the Sumatran tiger that was found dead in Tanjung Leban Village, Bandar Laksamana District, Bengkalis Regency.

From the examination carried out on Sunday, started at 18.30  and finished at 21.00 Western Indonesia Time, the tiger was predicted to have been dead for more than 24 hours. 

Quoted from Antara News, acting head of the Riau KSDA Center, Fifin Arfiana Jogasara, explained the results of the necropsy and anatomical pathology examination.

"The cause of death of the animal is suspected to be severe dehydration, lack of nutrition, and infection in the left forefoot," said Fifin.

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The corpse of the snared Sumatran tiger examined. (Photo: Riau BBKSDA doc.)

In addition, this female tiger is known to be a juvenile. "The medical team found that the tiger had never given birth," added Fifin .

From the head to the tip of the tail, the tiger was found to be 190 centimeters, with a body length of 103 centimeters, a height of  91 centimeters, a chest circumference of 86 centimeters and the tail length of 74 centimeters.

Previously, on Sunday (17/10/2021) morning, this tigress was found in a dead and stiff condition. It was first discovered that there was a snare rope wrapped around the left forefoot

The snare caused a wound so deep that the bone can be seen. "It is estimated that the individual tiger was entangled for more than five days and had died in less than 24 hours," Fifin explained. 

The authority has appealed to the entire community to not put snare traps for any reasons. Citizens are also urged to report snare discovery and the person who installed the trap at call center on 081374742981. 

After the incident, efforts were made to sweep the area for additional snares. 

In accordance with Article 40 of the Republic of Indonesia Law no. 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and  Ecosystems, those who deliberately violate protected animals can be subjected to a maximum imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum fine of one hundred million rupiah. 

Likewise, those who commit violations due to negligence will be subjected to a maximum imprisonment of 1 year and a maximum fine of fifty million rupiah.

On September 24, 2021, a team from the Directorate General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry together with the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center and the local police thwarted the sale of a Sumatran tiger skin and two deer fetuses . The joint team managed to secure 4 suspects.

Sumatran Tigers Attacks

With the lost of habitat and prey due to deforestation, deadly interaction with Sumatran tigers are increasing. On Sunday (17/10/2021), Jambi authorities had captured a Sumatran Tiger that killed two residents this month in Merangin Regency.

Last August, a 15-year-old teenager with the initials MA was found dead without his head. It was suspected that he was attacked by a Sumatran tiger in Teluk Lanus Village, Sungai Apit District, Siak Regency, Riau  (29/8/2021). The alleged tiger was also captured.

Last July, also in Siak, a Sumatran tiger attacked a man, with the initial of A (30), who was looking for wood in the forest. The victim survived but suffered lacerations on both legs .

In June, a man with the initial of S was allegedly killed and eaten by a Sumatran tiger. The victim was found in the form of a skull, right hand and body parts. The attack also happened in Riau.

In January, a total of 5 cows belonging to villagers were found dead with wounds on their necks and  missing body parts due to Sumatran tiger bites in Batu Jongjong Village, Bahorok District, Langkat, North Sumatra.