[wildtrade] Two `poachers' detained in Riau - ELEPHANTS

Thu Jun 25 12:14:59 BST 2009

Published on The Jakarta Post (http://www.thejakartapost.com)

Two `poachers' detained in Riau

Rizal Harahap ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Pekanbaru   |  Thu, 06/25/2009 11:24 AM
|  The Archipelago 

Prosecutors in Riau have arrested two suspects for allegedly poaching and
killing three endangered Sumatran tigers after conducting investigations for
nearly four months. 

The suspects, father and son, Ajad Abdullah, 73, and Mistar Ajad, 45, from
Tanjung Pasar village, Pelangiran district, Indragiri Hilir regency, are
currently being detained by the Tembilahan prosecutor's office. 

Head of technical conservation division of the Riau office Nature
Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Syahimin said his men and investigators from the
prosecutor's office found strong evidence the suspects had killed the
protected Sumatran tigers. 

"The prosecutor's office said Tuesday it has completed the case files and
that the case is officially being handled by the Tembilahan prosecutor's
office," Syahimin told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. 

Riau BKSDA investigator Marhot Pohan, who filed the case, said the three
dead tigers were male and still young, evident from their medium size.
According to him, the tigers were killed and skinned after both suspects
were able to trap them not far from the village. 

"We found two pieces of tiger pelt and skulls at the suspect's house, while
they had already sold the other pelt and body parts of the third tiger. A
number of witnesses said the suspects caught the animals by trapping them." 

He added the suspects had violated Law No. 5/1990 on biological and natural
conservation and could face between one and five years in prison and a
maximum fine of Rp 50 million if found guilty. 

Syahimin said the suspects killed the three tigers on Feb. 10 on the grounds
they had raised fear among the villagers and frequently ventured into the
village and mauled resident's livestock. 

"I don't know how many times the suspects had killed tigers, but they seemed
experienced." 

A week after the three tigers were reported killed, the Riau BKSDA also
received a report that a female tiger was killed in Gaung village, Gaung
district in Indragiri Hilir, after it attacked two oil palm employees. 

"However we have yet to find any evidence because the remains have not been
found as of now," said Syahimin, adding the Riau BKSDA had yet to find a
possible syndicate that would have bought the tiger pelt. 

"Both suspects only said they sold the tiger parts to a ship crew member and
unaware where they would be sent to. They may have been sent to Batam or
Singapore given the various shipping routes from Indragiri Hilir. 

Syahimin acknowledged he could not estimate the number of Sumatran tigers
still remaining in the regency. 

However, he said according to a number of people many tiger tracks could be
found around the village. 

"I call on residents to immediately report to the BKSDA in the event of
tigers entering the village. We will send a team to catch them and villagers
are not allowed to take actions into their own hands."

  _____  

Source URL:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/06/25/two-poachers039-detained-riau.
html

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