Cubs caught on camera for first time
Footage of two wild Sumatran tiger cubs in Sembilang National Park, Indonesia, has been captured, which is the first time young tigers have been seen at a previously unexplored national park.
Tigers have been studied in the neighbouring region, Berbak National Park, for a number of years by conservationists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL); however, tiger breeding has never before been seen in Sembilang's protected park.
The footage captured shows a Sumatran tigress and her cubs casually walking past the camera. The cubs are thought to be less than a year old.
It is a rare occurrence to see such footage, as there is only around 300 of the tigers left in the world, and the endangered species remains under great threat from poaching and human destruction of its habitat.
Sarah Christie, head of regional conservation programmes for ZSL, said: “This is the best early Christmas present, and we are absolutely delighted to find the first evidence of breeding in Sembilang. We will continue working with leaders of both national parks as well as the government to ensure the areas are better protected and well patrolled.”
Mr. Tatang, head of the park, said: “This footage highlights that Sembilang National Park is now doubly important for Indonesia; not only is it a major carbon sink, but also a critical habitat for tigers in Southern Sumatra. These data will help us ensure the Berbak-Sembilang area is prioritised for protection.”
Sembilang and Berbak National Parks form a single tiger conservation landscape and are one of the very few areas left in the world capable of holding viable tiger populations. The data will support ZSL in working alongside the Indonesian government to improve the protection of this area and conservation of this endangered species.
