By: Endan Suhendra
KABAR ALAM - Had conflict with humans, a male Sumatran tiger named Lhokbe was rescued and returned to its habitat in the Gunung Leuser National Park area, on Thursday, August 18, 2022.
The release of the 4–5-year-old Sumatran tiger was carried out by a joint team from the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA), the Gunung Leuser National Park (TNGL), the South Aceh Regional Police Station, the Wildlife Conservation Society Indonesia Program (WCS-IP), and Leuser Conservation Forum (FKL).
The head of the Aceh BKSDA, Agus Arianto explained that the selection of the location for the release of the Sumatran tiger in the Gunung Leuser National Park was carried out after the survey and feasibility study of the carrying capacity of the habitat, including population, food availability, and habitat threats were carried out.
Agus said that the male Sumatran tiger was named "Lhokbe". The name is taken from the name of the village of Lhok Bengkuang which is where the Sumatran tiger was saved.
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"The Lhokbe Sumatran tiger was rescued from the village because it caused negative interactions, so it needs to be saved for the safety and security of both the community and tiger animals," Agus said as quoted from a press release from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), on Friday, August 19, 2022.
From the results of observations and a complete medical examination of Lhokbe while at the Regional 1 Tapaktuan National Park Management Office of Gunung Leuser National Park, the Sumatran tiger showed a healthy and normal condition. This can be seen from good appetite and drinking, no physical defects, and good response to the environment.
Further diagnosis of the health of the Sumatran tiger was also carried out by taking blood samples (serum) as material for haematological examination and CDV (Canine Distamper Virus) tests.
The results of routine blood tests and blood chemistry showed that the Sumatran tiger was in a normal and healthy condition, this was also evident from the results of the CDV test which showed negative results.
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After going through a process of observation and a complete medical examination as well as a feasibility study of the release location, Lhokbe was finally released back into its habitat in the Gunung Leuser National Park.
During the trip to the release site, Lhokbe looked calm and in control in the assistance and supervision of the veterinary team. When the cage was opened, Lhokbe swiftly and eagerly ran through the Gunung Leuser National Park area.
“Hopefully Lhokbe can adapt quickly and reproduce so that it can increase the population in nature. After the release of Lhokbe, monitoring will be carried out through trap camera to monitor its movement," said Agus.
