An official from Aceh Provincial Police has confirmed that East Aceh Police's Criminal Investigation Unit has arrested two people suspected of being involved in the killing of three Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) earlier this week.
The two suspects have been identified by their initials as JD, 37, and YM, 56, Aceh Police's public relations department head, Senior Commissioner Winardy, said.
"The two suspects are from Central Tapanuli District, North Sumatra. They are now being held at the East Aceh police office for further questioning," he informed here on Friday.
Police investigators had earlier received a tip about a group, suspected to have come from outside Aceh Province, hunting wild boars in the forest of Peunaron Sub-district, East Aceh, he said.
Based on the information, police officials went to the camp and discovered that the group consisted of eight people. They were brought to the East Aceh police office in connection with the investigation into the Sumatran tigers’ deaths, he added.
"After further investigation and examination of witnesses' testimonies and evidence, we designated two people as suspects for killing the three Sumatran tigers," Winardy said.
The police also confiscated a motorcycle, five rolls of sling cables, and some feathers belonging to great argus birds (Argusianus argus), a protected species under Indonesian law, as evidence in the case, he added.
Related news: Two Sumatran tigers found dead in wire trap: East Aceh police
The suspects will be charged under Article 21, Paragraph 2 (a), in conjunction with Article 40, Paragraph (2) subs, Article 40, Paragraph (4) of Law No. 5 of 1990 on Conservation of Natural Resources and its Ecosystem, he said.
"The maximum sentence (for the crime) will be five years in prison, and the maximum fine will be Rp100 million (US$6,900)," Winardy added.
He then urged residents not to harm and kill protected species.
"Aceh Police will not hesitate to arrest anyone who hunts, seize, and trades animals protected by our law," he said.
On April 24, 2022, three Sumatran tigers were found dead in wire traps in the forest of Sri Mulya Village, Peunaron Sub-district, East Aceh District.
Related news: South Aceh police urged to probe deaths of three Sumatran tigers
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