Riau to have Sumatran tiger study center

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 04/23/2010 3:26 PM

The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program Foundation will establish a Sumatran tiger study center in Riau.

The study center was aimed at monitoring and preserving the remaining endangered Sumatran tigers as their population continues to decrease annually, Bastoni of the Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program Foundation, told Antara in Pekanbaru on Friday.

"The first study center will be established in Sinepis, Rokan Hilir District, as a model. And later, if it runs well and shows concrete benefit, similar study centers will be established in other conservation areas," he said.

The study center will be established with the cooperation of forest concession holders in Riau.

Around 20 to 25 tigers live in Sinepis conservation area. The study center is also expected to prevent any tiger attacks or encroachment in human settlement areas in Rokan Hilir.

"The study center will also monitor the movement of Sumatran tigers in Rokan Hilir as their behavior becomes more predictable due to food shortages in the conservation area," he said.

Inhabitants of Pasir Limau and Sungai Daun villages recently reported that a number of goats and chicken had disappeared following tigers' attacks in their villages.