Introduction
Authorities in Sumatra, a stronghold for Sumatran tigers, have warned the public against using snares to trap wild boar following the dramatic rescue of an 11-month-old female tiger cub last month.
While it is not illegal to set a snare for the purpose of trapping wild boar or animals that are not protected by law, the West Sumatra government said any protected species caught in a snare will now lead to criminal liability.
The New Clarification
The new clarification was set out in a letter issued in late May by the West Sumatra province office of Indonesia’s conservation agency, the BKSDA.
It cites a 2024 amendment to Indonesia’s 1990 conservation law governing the protection of wildlife.
“The situation has become dangerous because people are setting these snares,” explained Rizaldi, a conservation scientist at Andalas University in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province.
The Evacuation of a Sumatran Tiger
The evacuation of a Sumatran tiger trapped in a wild boar snare in Pasaman.
Image courtesy of BKSDA West Sumatra.
Renewed Attention on Snares
The recent crackdown on snares was sparked after a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) was discovered in a wild boar snare in Padang Mantiggi Utara village located in West Sumatra’s Pasaman district.
Officials from the West Sumatra BKSDA, the conservation agency, arrived at the scene at around 13:30 on May 21, where they found a young female tiger in distress and pain.
A snare was wrapped around the animal’s neck, trunk, and right foreleg, in about five loops.
“She struggled for a while...”, said Rizaldi.
Conclusion
The crackdown on snares in Sumatra is an important step in protecting endangered species such as the Sumatran tiger.
It is crucial that authorities continue to work to raise public awareness about the dangers of snares and promote sustainable conservation practices.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay