A 25-year-old Indonesian man died after suffering from several fatal bite marks left by the brutal attack of a Sumatran tiger.
Park official Afan Absori told reporters that the victim Sudir was collecting palm leaves at the Sembilang National Park together with his four friends when the incident happened.
The group of friends was already leaving the national park when they heard their friend Sudir suddenly scream as the tiger pounced on him.
Absori added that the group saw the tiger approaching the victim so they immediately ran away to find help from people residing near the park. Unfortunately, the tiger was already gone when they group came back—and Sudir had already been mauled.
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In recent years, more and more cases have been reported about tigers killing people in the country. These are more widespread in regions where human activities, including collecting palm leaves or logging to clear lands for palm oil plantations, do not only destroy environmental habitats but also bring people in close contact with animals.
Cahyo Budi Siswanto, spokesperson for the local police, confirmed Sudir’s death and reported that the victim received fatal bite marks on his next, buttocks and leg.
Absori added that the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. He further commented that Sudi shouldn’t have been in that area of the park as it was restricted from the public.
With just around five hundred remaining in the wild, Sumatran tigers are among the world’s critically endangered species, according to protection group International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Stretching down Sumatra Island’s east coast, Sembilang National Park is home to a variety of exotic animals, including gibbons, leopards and elephants.
Image credit: RSPB
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