A wild Sumatran Tiger captured by conservation officers. Illegal trade and habitat loss have left the species fighting for its life. (Photo: Irwin Fedriansya, AP)

Adoption Scheme for Indonesia's Rare Sumatran Tigers in the Works: Ministry

The government recently said it had come up with a plan to save Sumatran tigers from extinction by allowing people to adopt captive-born animals as pets for $100,000 a pair. 

The Forestry Ministry said the plan could be put carried out as early as this year despite reservations by environmentalists, who said the focus should be on protecting habitats for the remaining 200 tigers in the wild. 

“We’re not selling or renting tigers. We’re only authorizing people to look after them,” said Darori, the ministry’s conservation chief. “These people will have to follow certain conditions. The tigers will still belong to the government.” 

He said interested owners would have to “deposit” Rp 1 billion for a pair of tigers, which he called a “guarantee toward conservation.” 

The minimum area required to keep a pair would be around 60 square meters, although something the size of three football fields would be better, ministry officials said. 

The animals’ health would be monitored by government experts and mistreatment would be punished by fines or jail terms. 

“Let’s think of the tigers’ new homes as mini-zoos,” Darori said. 

Another ministry official, Didi Wuryanto, said there were about 30 captive-born tigers in Indonesia. “This idea of selling the tigers to the public came about after several wealthy businessmen proposed buying them,” Wuryanto said. “They want to be acknowledged as special people with prestige, so they want to keep tigers.” 

 

Agence France-Presse

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