Global Tiger Day & World Ranger Day

Jakarta - To commemorate Global Tiger Day on July 29, 2012 and World Ranger Day on today, July 31, 2012, WWF offices around the world, including Indonesia, are simultaneously taking action in a unique way. Through this action called ""Cards4Tiger"", the public is invited to send appreciation to the forest rangers (polhut) guarding tiger habitat through postcards, either sent directly or online..

WWF-Indonesia CEO, Dr. Efransjah, said, "Forest rangers are very important partners for WWF activities in the field, especially in national park areas. With the increasingly critical condition of the habitat and population of Sumatran tigers, the role of forest rangers should be strengthened and of course must also be known and supported by the wider community. This action is expected to foster the spirit of forest rangers to work optimally, not only for the protection of tigers but also other protected wildlife."

Representing Indonesia, the ranger chosen by WWF to receive the postcard is Rusli Siregar, Resort Chief of Bukit Rimbang - BukitBaling Wildlife Reserve, Riau Province, an important habitat for Sumatran tigers. Rusli has been a forest ranger and guarding the Petai Resort in Rimbang Baling Wildlife Sanctuary since 1990. Limited facilities and far from the hustle and bustle of the big city did not dampen Rusli's spirit to protect the Rimbang Baling forest. Together with his two coworkers at the Rimbang Baling Resort, he continues to patrol Rimbang Baling and also monitors Sumatran tiger poaching.

In addition to being a Sumatran tiger habitat, Rimbang Baling is part of the important ecosystem landscape of RIMBA, designated by the governments of Riau, Jambi and Sumatra as a model area for Ecosystem Based Spatial Planning.

Musician and Honorary Supporter of WWF-Indonesia, Nugie, said, "Sumatran tiger is the only tiger sub-species in Indonesia whose population is increasingly critical. With the rampant trade of tiger body parts, the role of Pak Rusli and his friends who protect the habitat of Sumatran tigers is certainly very important and we should not ignore it. Send your appreciation through this Postcard4Tiger action."

In the ""Wildlife Scorecard"" report launched by WWF on July 23, Indonesia is one of the countries that still has to improve its commitment in law enforcement against various cases of protected animal poaching, including Sumatran tigers. The arrest of a tiger collector in Depok, West Java some time ago is an indicator of the seriousness of the Indonesian government in taking firm action against tiger poachers and preserving this unique Indonesian animal.

Davina, model and Honorary Supporter of WWF-Indonesia, also added, "Postcards for forest rangers can be accessed starting today (July 31) on the WWF website. The public can also send their own postcards or postcards distributed for free by WWF-Indonesia through volunteers, fundraisers, and WWF Mobile Panda until September 10, 2012."

Note to Editor:

• To find out how to send a postcard, click here
• Rusli Siregar's profile can be viewed at http://www.wwf.or.id/?25740/Rusli-Siregar-Dedikasi-Tanpa-Batas-untuk-Habitat-Harimau-Sumatera
• The online postcard can be accessed at: http://panda.org/tigers/cards4tigers
• The online postcard can be accessed at.

For more information, contact:
Dyah Ekarini, WWF-Indonesia Sumatra Program Communications, drini@wwf.or.id, +6281280278952