BENGKULU -- The Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Center has reportedly relocated a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) to the Taman Safari Zoo in Cisarua, Bogor, West Java, after it attacked rubber farmers in Seluma, Bengkulu.
Head of the Bengkulu conservation area Abu Bakar noted here on Monday that the the tiger was relocated to ensure the survival of the endangered species as it had begun preying on rubber farmers in Seluma region.
"This decision was taken after a lengthy consideration process. Everything is being done to ensure the tiger's survival," Abu remarked.
The male Sumatran tiger was also relocated, so it could receive medical treatment from the Taman Safari medical team.
Giring, the relocated tiger, was diagnosed with a blood parasite disease that required special treatment from the medical team.
"The Taman Safari Zoo has qualified clinics and medical personnel to treat Giring, so we decided to transfer him to Bogor," Abu explained.
According to Abu, Giring will be at the Taman Safari Zoo until the completion of his treatment.
Furthermore, the fate of the endangered species will be again discussed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
"Currently, we are focusing on the medical treatment first, and it would be the ministry's decision on whether to release Giring into the wild," Abu stated.
Giring was relocated from the Seluma area after the big cat preyed upon and killed a rubber farmer in February 2015.
Thereafter, the tiger was locked in a cage that was located behind the Bengkulu conservation Office.
Before being relocated to the Taman Safari Zoo, Giring was moved to a larger facility at the Elephant Training Center in Seblat, Bengkulu Utara District.