Rare Sumatran Tiger Captured on Camera Trap in Hutan Harapan

RRI.CO.ID, Batang hari - An endangered Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) has been successfully captured on a camera trap hidden deep within Hutan Harapan, a massive ecosystem restoration rainforest straddling the borders of Jambi and South Sumatra Provinces.

The rare photographic footage, which was recorded in mid-April, is undergoing rigorous forensic evaluation by wildlife biologists to gather specific baseline biological profiles of the big cat.

"It has not been analyzed further, it was just found and is in the process of identification," Head of the Research and Conservation Department at PT REKI Hutan Harapan, Rohmat Eko Santoso, announced in a statement released in Jambi on Saturday, June 13, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Rohmat explained that because the analysis is in its infancy, conservationists have not yet determined the exact age or sex of the individual tiger.

The vital visual data was captured as part of a comprehensive wildlife census running from February to June 2026. The research team deployed an expansive network of 90 high-definition camera traps across specific coordinates.

To ensure comprehensive and systematic observation coverage, the cameras were arranged using a specialized grid matrix known in wildlife management as a chessboard system.

The presence of the apex predator is viewed as a definitive health indicator for the broader ecosystem, confirming that the biological food chain and core habitat within Hutan Harapan remain exceptionally well-preserved.

Throughout the ongoing camera trap deployment, researchers have documented a vibrant biodiverse tapestry consisting of approximately 39 distinct animal species roaming the forest floor. The recorded fauna includes several varieties of deer, such as the Cervidae family and the muntjac, also known as the barking deer.

Sightings also featured both the lesser and greater mousedeer, as well as bearded pigs and Malayan tapirs. Additionally, the presence of sun bears from the Ursidae family was confirmed, highlighting the rich variety of wildlife thriving within the restoration area.

Spanning a massive 98,555 hectares, Hutan Harapan holds historic significance as Indonesia's very first low-land tropical rainforest ecosystem restoration concession. The territory serves as one of the last remaining sanctuaries for critical Sumatran megafauna threatened by habitat fragmentation and deforestation.

PT REKI's field teams are continuing their data collection and spatial processing. Management confirmed that once the field operations wind down and the tracking data is fully compiled, the concession will release an official comprehensive document mapping the definitive tiger population density and territory lines within the conservation zone. ***