"The tigers` numbers might have slightly changed due to various factors such as poaching activities."
Jambi (ANTARA News) - Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) has approximately 166 Sumatran tigers (Panthera Tigris Sumatrae), according to a Sumatran Tiger Preservation Programme (PHS-TNKS) official.

"The tigers are safe here. There is also enough space for the tiger population, considering the size of TNKS, which covers four provinces: Jambi, Bengkulu, West Sumatra and South Sumatra," PHS-TNKS chief Dian Risdianto said here on Thursday.

"The animals generally inhabit four blocks in the park - Kerinci, Merangin-Bungo, Tapan-Solok Selatan in West Sumatra, Muko-muko in Bengkulu, and Curup Bengkulu-Lingau in South Sumatra," he added.

The park`s tiger population was determined during 2006-09, using various methods involving trap cameras and patrols.

"However, the tigers` numbers might have slightly changed due to various factors such as poaching activities," Dian stated.

The PHS-TNKS team is planning to conduct another tiger monitoring programme in 2013, with funds coming from Germany.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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