The Sumatran tigers comprise a female tiger called Bonita and a male tiger named Atan Bintang, the ministry noted in a press statement released on Monday.
Bonita was rescued from a plantation at Tanjung Simpang Village in Indragiri Hilir District on January 3, 2018, while Atan Bintan was rescued from a residential area in Burung Island also in the district on November 18, 2018.
"The conservation of (endangered) animals would be successful if all sides were to work together. The result of PVA (Population Viability Analysis) shows the population of Sumatran tigers in their natural habitat reaches only 603 found in 23 habitat enclaves," Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation of the Environment and Forestry Ministry Wiratno stated.
In the meantime, data from the Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation show that over 50 percent of the population of endangered animals are found outside conservation areas, both in timber estates and protected forests, he noted.
With the release of the two tigers, the figure of these big cats rehabilitated at the Sumatra Tigers Rehabilitation Center and released into the natural habitat reaches four.
Both Bonita and Atan Bintang will be taken by land to the conservation area in the province.
"Hence, it is important to make conservation efforts involving all sides, including concession holders, regional governments, customary community, and non-governmental organizations. We hope that endangered animals, including Sumatran tigers outside conservation areas, would be protected in the same way as endangered animals inside conservation areas. The spirit of cooperation is a key to further synergy," he added.
EDITED BY INE
