Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry announced the birth of two Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) at the Barumin Sumatran Tiger Sanctuary in North Sumatra on January 26 this year.

In an official statement issued on Saturday, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni noted that the cubs—a male named Nunuk and a female named Ninik—were born to a pair of tigers, Gadis and Monang.

"Their naming is not just ceremonial. It also symbolizes renewed hope for the conservation of Sumatran tigers in Indonesia," he remarked.

Antoni expressed hope that the arrival of the tiger cubs Nunuk and Ninik would inspire the Indonesian public to share a strong sense of responsibility towards the sustainability of wildlife.

The minister then stated that the birth of cubs of the protected species also serves as a testament to the Indonesian government's success in its intensive efforts to prevent the extinction of endemic species.

In the same statement, Antoni also highlighted that a wildlife patrol conducted between March and April at the Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) in Banten detected signs of three new critically endangered Javan rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus).

He noted that one of the young rhinos is estimated to be four to six months old, based on the discovery of footprints about 20 centimeters in length.

On the night of March 30, a camera trap captured footage of an adult rhino with a female calf believed to be around two years old.

Additionally, just after midnight on April 3, the same camera recorded a male juvenile rhino, estimated to be about three years old. Identification of the juvenile is still ongoing.

"We hope these newly detected individuals will contribute to the Javan rhino population at TNUK. We will continue monitoring and providing maximum protection for them," the minister concluded.

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Translator: Prisca T, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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