Illegal tiger traders arrested on Sumatra

SEPTEMBER 2008. Indonesian authorities have arrested four people for selling illegal tiger parts. The raid, part of recent increased efforts by Indonesian authorities to control illegal wildlife trade, marks the tenth arrest for trading in tiger parts in three months, as many as the total amount of arrests for the previous three years. All cases are now being prosecuted by the Indonesian authorities.

The raid recovered tiger bones, skins, teeth, and claws, along with other protected wildlife. It was conducted by the Indonesian Department of Forestry, Directorate-General for Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA) who worked in conjunction with Wildlife Conservation Society's Wildlife Crime Unit. The Unit, created by WCS in 2003, provides data and technical advice to law enforcement agencies to support the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crimes.

"Tiger poaching and trade is a massive threat to the survival of this iconic animal," said Dr Noviar Andayani, Director of the WCS Indonesia Program. "The long-term survival of this species will require effective action to control illegal poaching, to reduce habitat loss, and to prevent conflict between tigers and local people."

Tiger poaching
Tigers are killed by hunters to supply the demand for tiger parts such as skins, teeth, bones, hair, etc. These parts are used as souvenirs, in traditional medicine, and as talismans. Many of the tiger parts traded in Indonesia are bound for export to China. Tigers are also killed when they become involved in conflicts with local farmers.

"While the threat of extinction of tigers is often talked about, preventing this from happening requires real action on the ground such as we are seeing in Indonesia now. In the areas of Sumatra where we have worked hardest and longest we are starting to see indications that the tiger population is finally recovering," stated Dr. Andayani.