Indonesia’s Search for the ‘Extinct’ Javan Tiger: A Hope for Survival

Indonesia Hunts for ‘Extinct’ Javan Tiger

Indonesia is embarking on a search for evidence that the Javan tiger, which has been classified as extinct, may actually still exist in the wild. The decision to hunt for proof of the big cat’s survival was announced by an official at the country’s environment ministry. The search will involve the use of camera traps and extensive DNA sweeps.

The investigation was prompted by a study conducted by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) which suggested that a single strand of tiger hair found in West Java in 2019 matched the characteristics of the Javan tiger. The study, published by Cambridge University Press, revealed that a resident had reported sighting a Javan tiger at a plantation near Sukabumi city in West Java province. The resident collected the strand of hair from a fence, along with footprints and claw marks.

The research has sparked speculation that the Javan tiger may still exist in the wild. The Javan and Balinese tigers were believed to have been wiped out in the 1980s and 1940s respectively due to poaching and deforestation for plantations. Currently, only the Sumatran tiger remains in Indonesia. However, their population is critically endangered, with less than 400 individuals estimated to be in the wild.

If it is proven that the Javan tiger still exists, it will be designated as a protected animal. The responsibility to preserve their population lies with all parties, including society as a whole, according to Satyawan Pudyatmoko, the ministry official overseeing conservation efforts. The search for the Javan tiger represents a significant opportunity to protect and conserve one of Indonesia’s native species.