RRI.CO.ID, Lampung - The Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry announced encouraging news from wildlife conservation efforts. Two Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) cubs have been born at the Lembah Hijau Zoo Conservation Institute (LK) in Lampung.

The births are the result of a mating between a male and female, Kyai Batua and Sinta, both rescued from poachers' snares due to human-human conflict. This success marks a significant milestone as the first ex-situ birth of a Sumatran tiger in Lampung Province.

Kyai Batua was previously rescued by a team from the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) from July 2-4, 2019, in Batu Ampar Hamlet, West Lampung, after being trapped. Due to serious injuries to his right front leg, Kyai Batua had to undergo amputation on July 5, 2019.

Meanwhile, Sinta is a Sumatran tiger rescued from Bengkulu Province in December 2024. The tigress was found in a similar condition, suffering from severe injuries from a snare. During the rescue, a deformity was found on her right hind leg.

The mating of the two individuals was carried out based on recommendations from the Global Species Management Plan phases III and IV in 2024 and 2025. Thanks to close supervision and support by the Lembah Hijau Zoo veterinary medical team, the three-month-old cubs are growing and developing well.

The birth of these two Sumatran tigers is a positive indicator of the success of ex-situ conservation management. It also strengthens efforts to preserve the species, which is currently facing population pressure in its natural habitat.

The Head of the Lampung Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Agung Nugroho, stated that this success is expected to strengthen the shared commitment to wildlife protection efforts, particularly in supporting the preservation of protected species. "This successful birth proves that rescued animals still have the potential to breed optimally with proper management," Agung said.

The Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry underscored that this birth not only contributes to population growth but also has strategic value in terms of education, research, and strengthening public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation. The Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry is also committed to continuing to encourage the strengthening of collaborative conservation programs, both in situ and ex situ.