INDONESIAN AUTHORITIES URGE VIGILANCE AFTER FATAL TIGER ATTACK IN WEST LAMPUNG

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Indonesian authorities in West Lampung, South Sumatra, have urged residents, particularly those living near forests and wildlife habitats, to exercise caution following the death of a local man, believed to have been killed by a Sumatran tiger.

Zainudin, a resident of Purworejo, Central Java, had recently relocated to Kubu Balak, Pekon Kegeringan, in Batu Brak, where he had been living for only a week before the tragedy occurred.

The rescue team, along with the Sumatran Tiger Conflict Mitigation Task Force, discovered his dismembered body, with his arms and legs found some distance away from the site of the attack on Tuesday.

In a statement, West Lampung's acting Regent, Nukman, expressed his condolences and called for  intensified efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“This is not the first such attack in the region,” he said, urging residents in Batu Brak and Suoh districts to take extra precautions to avoid further tiger attacks.

Nukman advised residents living near wildlife habitats, particularly those frequented by elephants and tigers, to remain vigilant, especially when near forests. He urged them to avoid going to farms alone and to always have a companion for safety.

He also cautioned against taking matters into their own hands by attempting to capture wild animals that have been roaming the area in recent months, emphasising the importance of preventing further casualties.

Zainudin’s death marks the first fatal tiger attack in West Lampung this year. This follows three similar fatalities in 2024, including two incidents in February and one in September.

The Suoh Police have placed “Caution: Tiger Warning” banners, while the Sumatran Tiger Conflict Mitigation Task Force conducted a track inspection and installed camera traps in September.

-- BERNAMA