Rusli Siregar (54) started working at the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) in 1984 as an honorary staff. In 1990 he was appointed a forest ranger at BKSD after completing a forestry police course at the State Police School in Sampali, Medan. Rusli is also a member of the Tiger Protection Team, a patrol unit that monitors threats to Sumatran Tigers, a collaboration between BKSDA Riau and WWF-Indonesia. During Rusli's time as Resort Chief of Rimbang Baling Wildlife Reserve, he also served as Unit Head of the Tiger Protection Team. Since its formation in 2005, the team has patrolled the area to minimize threats to Sumatran tigers. The team confiscates wildlife snares encountered in the forest, provides counseling to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting the sanctuary as a tiger habitat to reduce human-tiger conflict, and warns encroachers that encroachment is illegal.

Rusli's routine includes patrolling the Rimbang Baling Wildlife Sanctuary on a motorcycle. He and two colleagues must monitor the conservation area, which covers 136,000 hectares. Rimbang Baling is an important habitat for Sumatran tigers. With a hilly topography, the area has a beautiful panorama. The clear waters of the Subayang river flow through the reserve, with white sandy banks. In some places, large boulders are piled up in the middle of the river, making the scenery even more charming and challenging. The river also serves as the only transportation route for local communities living along the river to access the road.

While on duty, Rusli admitted to several encounters with wildlife, such as deer and tigers, and several times saw tiger tracks or scratches. He was very happy to see that wildlife still existed in the area, but he was saddened to find wildlife snares, including tiger snares, several times. "I immediately cleaned the snares," Rusli said.

Forest encroachment is the main threat to the existence of this area. Rusli often encounters reckless encroachers who fight back when warned. One of his bad experiences happened in 1998. At that time he and a colleague were patrolling and met four encroachers. They refused Rusli and his colleague who asked them to stop their activities in the conservation area. The encroachers then reported the incident to their boss, and Rusli was summoned to the village head in the evening to meet with the encroachers' boss. An argument ensued between Rusli and the encroachers' boss, until suddenly the boss hit Rusli. Rusli also defended himself. Fortunately, the community was able to break up the fight. Feeling threatened, Rusli reported to his superiors. The police were then deployed to the area to process the incident. Encroachment in the area can finally be stopped.

Since his assignment in 1989 until today, Rusli and his family have occupied the Rimbang Baling Wildlife Sanctuary resort post which for him serves a dual purpose: as both office and home. Although his daily life is far from city life, Rusli's enthusiasm has never waned. He has never thought of moving from the resort post that has given him so many memories.

Rusli's wife is an elementary school teacher. They have three children, two girls and one boy. Their first child has successfully completed college. Rusli hopes that his children will have a better life in the future, as he hopes that one day the Rimbang Baling Wildlife Sanctuary will be free from encroachment and poaching activities. She dreams of the area being preserved intact. Therefore, he hopes for the participation of all parties in protecting the area, which has immeasurable beauty and natural wealth.