Puti Malabin has been given a second chance of freedom with her recent release into the Malampah Wildlife Reserve in West Sumatra.
Back in July 2023, a female Sumatran tiger began preying on livestock in Nagari Binjai Village, West Sumatra. This situation prompted the West Sumatran Natural Resources Agency (BKSDA) to reach out for help.
Human-tiger conflict is a major threat to wild tigers. This conflict mainly stems from habitat loss due to deforestation and land development. As tigers seek food, they approach human areas. This leads to clashes with farmers. Often, farmers will kill tigers in retaliation, further reducing their numbers. It’s vital therefore that we protect habitats and reduce conflicts to save tigers.
On 4 February 2024, the APE Protector team successfully captured the tiger to remove the threat to both the tiger and the community. The tiger was later named Puti Malabi. Weighing 70 kg and about 3 to 5 years old, she was taken to the Kinantan Wildlife and Culture Park (TMSBK) for a medical assessment. During her stay, she was fitted with a GPS collar to track her movements and ensure her safety.
In June, she was successfully released into the Malampah Wildlife Reserve, where she can roam freely and safely once more. Her movements will be monitored via GPS to help mitigate the potential for future conflicts.
It is through the support of people like you that we can fund critical rescue and release missions like these.
With less than 300 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, every tiger rescued and released into protected habitat is vital to saving the species.
Together, we can ensure a brighter future for Sumatran tigers like Puti Malabin. Thank you for being a crucial part of this journey!
