RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Forestry, through the Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA), is currently investigating the discovery of a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) which was found dead by local residents in a pool of water in Bukit Makmur Village, Penarik Subdistrict, Mukomuko Regency, Bengkulu.

BKSDA Bengkulu received the initial report from the community on April 30, 2026. Following up on this information, the BKSDA team immediately coordinated with local authorities to conduct a field search.

“We are giving serious attention to every incident involving protected wildlife, particularly the Sumatran tiger as a keystone species. Currently, our field team is managing the situation and conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the cause of death, including the possibility of any legal violations,” said Head of the Bureau of Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation at the Ministry of Forestry, Ristianto Pribadi, in a written statement on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

On May 1, 2026, the BKSDA Bengkulu team, accompanied by the Penarik Sector Police and Kerinci Seblat National Park officers, arrived at the scene. Based on preliminary identification, the animal was a male tiger found fully intact in a pool of water.

The BKSDA Bengkulu team continues to probe the case and will confirm the cause of death through a necropsy and laboratory analysis. A team of veterinarians is scheduled to conduct an immediate examination at the site.

As of Friday night, May 1, 2026, the team was unable to perform the necropsy due to darkness and heavy rainfall. Furthermore, the necessary ice for sample preservation was not yet available at the location.

The necropsy is planned to proceed on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Air Hitam Resort post. The Ministry of Forestry ensures that the handling of this case is conducted swiftly, in a coordinated manner, and based on scientific procedures as part of its commitment to safeguarding Indonesia's biodiversity. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)