Wildlife ecologist Sunarto underscored the need to raise awareness of the risk of tiger-human conflicts among members of the community as a step to prevent incidents, such as the recently occurred case in West Lampung.
"Several steps need to be taken continuously, especially to prevent conflict. The first is to raise awareness among (members of) the community about the risk of conflict," Sunarto noted in response to ANTARA's questions here on Friday.
Sunarto remarked that capacity building could be carried out, especially regarding preventative measures and ways to handle conflict.
"Multi-stakeholder collaboration is really needed for this," Sunarto, with experience in working as a research associate at the Research Center for Biodiversity, Institute for Sustainable Earth and Resources (ISER), University of Indonesia (UI), stated.
He pointed out that several factors causal to conflicts between tigers and humans included problems experienced by tigers.
He cited as examples that sick tigers tended to experience difficulty in hunting, while young males looking for a new home were also likely to face conflicts with humans or livestock.
There are also habitat factors that intersect with areas of human activity, such as settlements or plantations. There is also the human factor, wherein potential conflicts could be prevented if humans had an understanding of the existence and behavior of tigers.
He highlighted the need to take several steps to prevent conflicts with tigers, such as being aware of their position and avoiding traveling alone in their home range.
In addition, animals need to be given space by not disturbing their habitat, especially in protected areas.
Recently, a conflict occurred between a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and the community in West Lampung District, with the latest attack reported on March 11, 2024.
In a statement to ANTARA, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Satyawan Pudyatmoko urged the public to remain calm, as a joint team had been deployed to handle the issue.
"In future, we must be able to share space with various wild animals because they also have a function and role in the life support system," Pudyatmoko stated on Thursday (Mar 14).
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Katriana
Editor: Arie Novarina
Editor : Mahdani
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