REPUBLICA.CO.ID, BENGKULU -- Sumatran tiger populations within Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) are estimated to be more than 150 tigers.

Head of TNKS Management Area III Bengkulu-South Sumatra M. Mahfud, when contacted in Rejang Lebong, Sunday (7/7/2024), said TNKS area has an area of 1,389,509.87 million hectares, of which 591,188 hectares fall within the province of Bengkulu and South Sumatra.

“The overall Sumatran tiger population in the TNKS region is still quite good, the distribution is in Jambi, Sumsel, Bengkulu and Sumbar, if you estimate between 150 and 180,” he said.

He explained that the population number of Sumatran tigers is known from counting using the trap camera method, then also through identification of traces, dirt and claws.

“By far the most accurate comes from a trap camera. With the trap camera we can identify her gender and immediately give her name,” he said.

Meanwhile, for the number of Sumatran tigers in the area of Bengkulu Province, he said, they are still often found today, but details cannot be given specifically to protect them from hunting action.

In Bengkulu Province, Sumatran tigers are still often seen in the area of Lebong Regency such as in Rimbo Pengadang, Ladang Palembang, Ketenong, Bukit Resam. The rest of the area is in Mukomuko District.

As for the area of Rejang Lebong Regency according to him, it still exists but they never come down and are only visible when passing in the direction of Lebong Regency.

“They rarely enter the village, which means that the prey is still enough. That is why we have an ecosystem restoration program, so that the ecosystem in the TNKS area continues to run. At least birds, and later there will be other animals such as pigs, deer and predators,” he said.

In order to maintain the Sumatran tiger population within the TNKS area, it has a Sumatran tiger rescue team that performs monthly patrols to clear tiger snares that are still often found in Mukomuko Regency, and Painan region, West Sumatra.

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