The endangered animal died at around noon on Saturday while being treated in intensive care by a team of veterinarians, said Amon Zamora, head of Bengkulu`s Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA).
The tiger sustained serious injuries in many parts of its body after falling into a trap in the protected Gedang Hulu Lais forest area in Lebong district. Locals who had found the trapped animal had apparently tried to kill it with spears.
But the tiger survived the locals` assaults until it was rescued and evacuated to Bengkulu city by BKSDA personnel and police.
After it was taken to the office of Bengkulu`s BKSDA it was still able to eat and drink but the agency lacked the needed medical knowhow and equipment to treat its wounds. The situation was reported to the Forestry Ministry which eventually ordered the tiger to be transferred to Jakarta by plane last Thursday for further transportation to the Safari Park Veterinary Hospital in Cisarua, Bogor.
Another official of Bengkulu`s BKSDA, Supartono, said the tiger that weighed about 75 kg and was five to six years old had run into the trap that appeared to have been intended for animals the size of full-grown tigers.
Meanwhile, Lebong district police were reported to have assigned a team to investigate the case and find the owner of the animal trap.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
