By: Syamsidar
During Global Tiger Day in Pekanbaru, Riau, a tiger painting made by Pekanbaru children was handed over to Korem 031 Wirabima-Pekanbaru. Chief of Staff of Kore (Kasrem) 031 Wirabima-Pekanbaru, I Nyoman Parwata received the Sumatran tiger painting from Samsudin, an endangered animal storyteller who is traveling around Sumatra Island.

Samsudin's arrival was warmly welcomed by Korem residents and the management of the Kartika Korcab Rem 031 Foundation. The 1x3 meter painting is the work of children with Mr. Samsudin, a cycling storyteller. It was started with scratches and fingerprints from students of SD Kartika-Pekanbaru and continued by children and visitors to the Global Tiger Day campaign held in Pekanbaru City Park on July 31, 2016.

Nyoman stated, "Today, August 3, we Korem residents receive works from the children of Korem residents, namely from the Kartika foundation who previously received a story from Mr. Sam who invited our nation's children to care about the environment, especially animals, namely tigers, which coincides with World Tiger Day which was commemorated on July 29."

He added, "We hope this work is a tangible manifestation of our concern. We Korem residents invite the entire community to protect animals in Riau, especially tigers, which are now on the verge of extinction."
Nyoman really appreciates what Mr. Samsudin has done to invite people to care about the environment and animals through fairy tales.

"We hope that this will become a national program and a world program as well, which we can realize from here, what is clear is that we, the people of Riau, are driven by Korem, hoping that this concern can be realized."

Samsudin came to Pekanbaru on his mission to tell rhinos and endangered animals stories for Indonesian children by cycling around the island of Sumatra. Coinciding with the moment of World Tiger Day celebration, Samsudin told stories in several elementary and kindergarten schools in Pekanbaru with the theme of Sumatran Tiger Rescue. In addition to storytelling, Samsudin also utilizes hand-painted media to build a sense of love for animals and the environment to children.

On this occasion Samsudian stated, "When I was given a good opportunity by the Korem in Pekanbaru, we saw this as an entry point for us and WWF to invite and request the army to support and play a role in animal conservation."

He added, "Earlier it has been conveyed by Mr. Kasrem the army to the field level such as Babinsa can play a role such as providing counseling to residents."
When asked about media impressions gained while in Pekanbaru City,
Samsudin stated, "I feel surprised to get a good welcome from Korem as well as the welcome from the children. The fatigue along the way paid off."

Samsudin hopes that support for fostering a love of animals and the environment in the younger generation will grow and more parties will care about the environment.

This storyteller also continues his storytelling mission to the neighboring province of North Sumatra. On his way, he will stop and tell stories about Sumatran elephants for children in Duri- Bengkalis Regency. Duri and its surroundings are part of an area that is the habitat of the endangered Sumatran elephant. In this city Samsudin will be welcomed by nature activists in Duri.