Sumatran tiger attacks kill two in Indonesia, traps deployed

Pekanbaru, (ANTARA) - Indonesian conservationists have deployed two trap cages in Riau Province after a critically endangered Sumatran tiger killed two people within days inside a commercial forestry concession, officials said on Monday.

The Natural Resources Conservation Agency of Riau (BBKSDA) launched the operation in Pelalawan District following the latest fatal encounter on Friday night.

Wildlife officials suspect a single, three-year-old male tiger is responsible for both incidents.

"Preliminary conclusions based on track sizes and characteristics suggest it is the same animal," said Laskar Jaya Permana, acting head of BBKSDA Riau. "However, identification is still ongoing to confirm this."

The recent victim was identified as 29-year-old Eko Prasetyo, who was attacked after leaving his camp at night.

His body was recovered on Saturday morning with severe injuries to his neck and legs.

"Parts of the victim's body had also been consumed by the tiger," Permana added.

The attack occurred just 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) from where a 12-year-old boy, identified by his initials JZ, was killed on Tuesday.

The boy, the son of a forestry worker, was snatched from a camp bathroom while waiting for his sibling.

Sumatran tigers are critically endangered, with fewer than 400 believed to remain in the wild.

Human-wildlife conflicts have intensified in Indonesia as deforestation and corporate concessions shrink the predators' natural habitats, pushing them closer to human settlements and work camps.

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Translator: Bayu Agustari Adha, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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