InfoSAWIT, PEKANBARU – A joint team from the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) and local government officials quickly moved to investigate reports of three tigers appearing in the palm oil plantation area of Penghidupan Village, Central Kampar Kiri District, Kampar Regency.
“We deployed a team to verify the report submitted by the Central Kampar Kiri Police Chief, Iptu Ferry Curie Ambarita,” said Riau BBKSDA Head, Supartono, quoted by InfoSAWIT from the Riau Media Center on Monday (6/10/2025).
The report stemmed from residents who claimed to have seen three tigers—one adult and two cubs—in the palm oil plantation area belonging to a partner of PT Flora Wahana Tirta. The sighting location, at coordinates 0.128321, 101.324350, is approximately 45 kilometers from the Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Reserve, a natural habitat of the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae).
Following the report, the joint team—comprising BBKSDA officers, police, and village officials—immediately went to the location. They interviewed the three reporting residents, who claimed to have seen the tigers on September 28, 2025, around 6:00 PM WIB. “The residents mentioned seeing three tigers, but due to panic and fear, they did not manage to take photos or any other evidence,” Supartono explained.
After a thorough examination, the team found no signs of the wild animals, such as footprints, claw marks, or droppings. Observation results also indicated that the area in question was a palm oil plantation with no standing forest. “It is highly likely that the tigers were only passing through,” Supartono said.
Nevertheless, Riau BBKSDA is increasing surveillance in the surrounding area. The team also provided public awareness and urged residents to be more vigilant, especially when working in the plantations. Residents were asked not to work alone, particularly after 5:00 PM WIB and before 7:00 AM WIB.
Furthermore, PT Flora Wahana Tirta was requested to install warning signs in the reported sighting area. The Penghidupan Village government was also asked to continue coordinating with Riau BBKSDA and refrain from spreading unverified information to prevent panic in the community.
“These preventive measures and coordination are important to ensure the safety of the community while ensuring that Sumatran tiger conservation efforts proceed in balance with residents’ economic activities,” Supartono concluded. (T2)
