Police Foil Sumatran Tigers Trap

Jambi (Antara Bali) - Forest rangers have found  and foiled growing attempts to trap Sumatra tigers in the  Kerinci Seblat National Park in Sumatra.

The authorities suspected the perpetrators planned to sell certain organs of the wildlife in black market in the country  and abroad,   Dian Risdianto, chief of the forest police team of the National Park, said here on Friday.

So far this year, notably ahead of Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the special forest police have foiled 30 attempts to trap the Sumatra tigers as against only a few in previous years.

"This indicates demand has increased for the animal organs  from black market in the country or from abroad," Dian Risdianto said.

Dian said the type of traps used are specially for tigers corroborating suspicion that the perpetrators have received special orders for tiger organs.

The type of traps is stronger and much more expensive than the types  used by ordinary hunters of other wildlife like boars, deers, monkeys or birds, he said.

"Those kinds of traps we have found this year are all for tigers," he said. (*/DWA)