Kota Bengkulu (ANTARA) - The Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has installed three tiger traps, equipped with surveillance cameras, in two sub-districts of North Bengkulu District.
"There are three traps: one in Pinang Raya Sub-district and two in Napal Putih Sub-district," said Said Jauhari, Head of the Conservation Section Region I of Bengkulu BKSDA, in a telephone interview on Sunday.
Jauhari explained that the tiger traps were set up in response to public reports of Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) entering residential areas and preying on livestock.
"The bait used in the traps consisted of goats and the remains of cows that Sumatran tigers had consumed in Gembung Raya and Kinal Jaya Villages," he said.
According to Jauhari, BKSDA monitoring revealed the presence of two tigers in Napal Putih and Pinang Raya Sub-districts.
He urged the public to refrain from taking independent action if they encounter or see a tiger, as this could endanger both themselves and the wildlife.
Previously, on Saturday (September 21), the Ulok Kupai Police in North Bengkulu Regency received a report that livestock belonging to residents of Kinal Village, Napal Putih District, had been preyed upon by a tiger at 2:30 a.m. local time.
In addition to preying on cattle, the tiger had also attacked two dogs on Friday (September 20) and one dog on Saturday (September 21).
Some time ago, the Bengkulu BKSDA conducted community outreach programs in Gembung Raya Village, Napal Putih District, focusing on the proper handling of encounters with Sumatran tigers.
"The Bengkulu BKSDA also provided community outreach on managing negative interactions between Sumatran tigers and humans in Gembung Raya Village," Jauhari said.
