Poison Causes Death of Lion and Tiger at Jambi Zoo

Jambi (Antara Bali) - The deaths of two African lions and one Sumatran tiger at Jambi's Taman Rimba Zoo were caused by poisoning, the zoo consultant Wisnu Wardana said.

"The test results reveal that the animals die after they are poisoned," Wisno said when contacted by a cellular phone here on Monday.

He said the incident took place last week but the results of the laboratory test were known only in the last couple of days.

"The animals' samples were taken to Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, to be tested in the laboratory. The test results indicated that the deaths of the rare species were caused by 'triegmin' poison," the Jambi zoo consultant said.

Wisnu said that to assure the causes of the deaths of the animals, their samples were then sent to Bobor, West Java, for another test. The results of the Bogor test confirmed the Bukittinggi laboratory test results.

Former head of Jambi's Nature Conservation Agency (BKSD), Trisiwo Rahardjo said he was socked to hear the deaths of the three animals.

"I cannot make a comment on it. I have no more authority about the matter because I have been rotated from Jambi. However, as a former Jambi BKSDA chief, I express regret on the deaths of two lions and one tiger at Tamban Rimba zoo," Trisiwo said.

He said that animals were sent to Taman Rimba Zoo when he was Jambi's BKSDA chief. However, he could not comment in the incident.

 Two lions respectively named Sirosi and Sonia and one tiger named Piter died in ther cages. Another tiger named Uni is now in critical condition. (*/DWA)