Suharyono surmised that a professional hunter, well-acquainted with the scene, had set up the trap.
"Judging from the case, this snare was set up by a hunter since the sling (wire) used is of large size, and a bait was laid out for the tiger," he expounded.
He revealed that the BBKSDA Riau had received a report from PT Arara Abadi's Public Relations of a wild Sumatran tiger (panthera tigris sumatrae) being caught in the conservation area located in Minas Barat Village, Siak District, on Monday (May 18).
According to Suharyono, the company claimed to have first received the report from the West Minas Village head, who was notified by the community while fishing around the location.
Information from PT Arara Abadi and other sources indicated that the tiger had likely been entangled for about a week, thereby aggravating the wounds on its legs. The animal was suffering from dehydration, as the water source was quite far from the location of the trap.
"It is regrettable that the Sumatran tiger died, with its right front leg entangled and covered in flies and grubs," he stated.
Suharyono remarked that the area was a home for protected animals.
"The area is a Sumatran tiger enclave," he pointed out.
The Riau BBKSDA team brought the dead tiger to Pekanbaru for necropsy or carcass surgery. Danang, the BBKSDA Riau veterinarian, stated that the tiger’s stomach was found to contain pork that was a bait placed in the snare.
"The tiger is estimated to be only one to two years of age, and it is a male," he remarked.
Analysis of the wound indicated that the tiger might have been entangled for about five or more days, and he was suffering from an infection.
Related news: Sumatran tiger trapped in South Sumatra's Muara Enim District
Related news: Sumatran tigers attack several cows in Riau: BKSDA
EDITED BY INE
Translator: FB Anggoro, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
