SUMATRAN TIGER POPULATION STILL CRITICAL, WWF URGES PUBLIC TO SUPPORT #DOUBLETIGERS
Jakarta, 29 Juli 2016 - As the beginning of WWF-Indonesia's #DoubleTigers campaign, which raises public awareness of Tiger population and conservation, WWF-Indonesia presents an installation exhibition of 371 tiger replicas at Senayan City from July 29 - August 7, 2016. Present at the opening ceremony of the exhibition were Devy Suradji, Marketing Director WWF-Indonesia,and Halina, Marketing Director Senayan City on Friday (29/7) at Main Atrium Senayan City.
The Sumatran tiger (Phantera tigris sumatrae) is one of the remaining tiger species in the world with a global population estimated at no more than 3871 individuals. On the island of Sumatra alone, the population size of the Sumatran Tiger is estimated to be 371 individuals spread from Aceh to Lampung.
The threat of Sumatran tiger population decline towards extinction continues, especially with the continued reduction and fragmentation of their habitat on the island of Sumatra. In addition, the Sumatran Tiger is one of the animals in high demand in poaching and illegal wildlife trade. WWF-Indonesia noted that in the period 2010 to 2014 there were 19 deaths of individuals due to natural deaths, conflicts with humans and poaching.
Efforts to increase the tiger population are the focus of the commemoration of World Tiger Day, which falls on July 29 every year. Unless more serious efforts are made to save tigers, it is estimated that the world will lose the entire tiger population in the world in the next five years.
To increase public awareness, support and participation for Sumatran Tiger conservation activities, on World Tiger Day 2016, WWF-Indonesia started a series of public campaign activities entitled #DoubleTigers". Without realizing it, we are actually very close and often idolize this charismatic species. On many occasions, tigers are used as symbols that depict strength, courage, and assertiveness.
For the next 10 days, WWF-Indonesia with the help of artists who are members of Bali Artgasm will introduce a Sumatran Tiger replica made of crushed waste paper (papier mâché) which is produced in a limited number of 371 pieces at the Main Atrium Senayan City. This exclusive replica can be adopted by the public to support WWF-Indonesia's Sumatran Tiger conservation program through wwf.id/donate page or at Main Atrium Senayan City from 29 July to 7 August 2016.
Public participation is needed to encourage the rescue of Sumatran tigers whose population is in critical status. There is no other way but to maintain and improve the quality of its habitat coupled with eradicating poaching to increase its population. WWF-Indonesia provides an opportunity for people to show their love for the Sumatran Tiger and support for our work by owning a Sumatran Tiger papier mâché replica," said Devy.
Devy continued, "In addition, the public can also contribute through kitabisa.com/doubletigers page and provide financial support for Sumatran Tiger conservation by WWF-Indonesia. Furthermore, we also invite the public to reduce the use of paper, choose sustainable forest products or be more selective in choosing palm oil products. All these actions can contribute to the sustainability of the Sumatran Tiger habitat, this is one of the things that can be done, especially for those of us who live in cities."
Tigers have an important role as the highest predator in the forest ecosystem to maintain the balance and health of tropical forests so that their sustainability can be guaranteed. Tiger conservation is important because it will also have an impact on saving other types of animals in the same forest. In particular, WWF-Indonesia will encourage the establishment of a Conservation Forest Management Unit (KPHK) in the Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Reserve (SMBRBB) in Riau Province. SMBRBB is known as one of the important population pockets of Sumatran tigers and several other rare animals and also has important values for the community, one of which is a water tower on Earth Lancang Kuning.
Halina revealed "Senayan City is very concerned about the population and conservation of tigers both in Indonesia and in the world. The Sumatran tiger is one of the nation's treasures and one of the endangered species that is on the verge of extinction. As a form of support to WWF-Indonesia, Senayan City donated six camera traps for Sumatran Tiger conservation. Hopefully, this support can help save the Sumatran Tiger in its habitat from extinction."
The #DoubleTigers campaign is one of the breakthroughs in mobilizing the people of Indonesia and the world. To strengthen its resonance, the #DoubleTigers campaign is also supported by several WWF-Indonesia strategic partners, such as Senayan City, Weber Shandwick, Facebook, Campaign.com, Uber and Bali Artgasm.
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Further information, contact:
Diah R. Sulistiowati
WWF-Indonesia Campaign Coordinator
dsulistiowati@wwf.id
+62 8111004397
Note to Editor:
- The Sumatran tiger (Phantera tigris sumatrae) was declared to be of critical status, under serious threat of extinction in the wild, by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the first time in 1996.
- Some of the Global Tiger Day events at Main Atrium Senayan City on July 29 to August 7, 2016 include Talk Show on Wildlife Poaching and Children's Activities (storytelling, drawing and coloring).
