Forest Encroachment Drives Endangered Tiger Entering Village in East Aceh
- 05 Agt 2026 22:34 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- A critically endangered Sumatran tiger was spotted near a residential area in Pante Kera Village, East Aceh, highlighting growing human-wildlife conflict linked to habitat degradation.
- BKSDA Aceh deployed a response team to monitor the tiger, patrol the area, and prevent negative interactions between the animal and local residents.
RRI.CO.ID, Banda Aceh - The appearance of a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) near a settlement in Gampong Pante Kera, East Aceh, on Monday, August 3, 2026, has once again underscored the real threat posed by habitat damage caused by illegal activity in forest areas.
The Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) said forest encroachment is degrading ecosystem quality, forcing the critically endangered animal out of its natural habitat and triggering conflicts that can result in economic losses and even threaten humans.
Aceh BKSDA Head, Ujang Wisnu Barata, said a team had been deployed to prevent negative interactions between the tiger and residents in Banda Aceh. The team is also working to drive the protected animal away from the residential area.
“We have deployed a team to handle the appearance of a Sumatran tiger in the East Aceh Regency. The team has also inspected the site and patrolled around the area where the tiger was seen,” he said on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Ujang said the team installed cameras to monitor the movements of the protected wild animal. The team also distributed firecrackers as an initial deterrent measure to drive the tiger away.
To prevent negative encounters with Sumatran tigers, he reminded residents not to work alone in plantations, but in groups. He also advised against staying out too late, as tigers are usually active from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. Jakarta time.
“We also urge the public to regularly clear their gardens, because tigers may hide in bushes. Also do not set snares, as that could trigger conflicts that may lead to the death of the protected animal,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the Sumatran tiger is an endemic species found only on the island of Sumatra. It is classified as critically endangered and faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
The public is urged to work together to protect the Sumatran tiger by not damaging forests, which are the habitat of various animal species. It is also prohibited to capture, injure, kill, keep, possess, raise, transport, or trade protected animals, whether alive or dead.
In addition, people are prohibited from setting snares, poison, or high-voltage electric fences that could cause the death of protected wildlife. All such illegal acts are subject to criminal sanctions under the law.
Illegal activities can also lead to conflicts between wildlife, especially Sumatran tigers, and humans. Such conflicts can cause economic losses and fatalities, affecting both people and the survival of the wildlife itself. ***
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