By: Fitriani Dwi Kurniasari

Bonita, a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) involved in conflict with humans in Tanjung Simpang Village, Pelangiran, Indragiri Hilir, was finally rescued by the Joint Rescue Team on Friday (20/4) morning. Previously, Bonita was reported to have attacked humans causing two fatalities; namely Jumiati, an employee of PT THIP (Tabung Haji Indo Plantation) who was attacked on January 3 and Yusri, a construction worker who was attacked on March 10.

For almost four months, a joint rescue team led by the Riau KSDA Center consisting of the Indragiri Hilir District Government, Indragiri Hilir Kodim, Indragri Hilir Police, Dharmasraya Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center, Arsari Djojoadikusumo Foundation, WWF Central Sumatra Program, Our Tiger Forum, Sumatran Tiger Conservation Center, Veswicc, PT Arara Abadi, PT THIP and the community continued to work hard to find Bonita. Finally, after a long effort, Bonita was rescued and is now headed to the Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center (PR-HSD) in Dharmasraya, West Sumatra.

On the 108th day of monitoring, the team successfully tranquilized Bonita, the tigress that had captured the public's attention for so long. The tiger was then evacuated and translocated to PR-HSD for comprehensive monitoring.

In the press conference held at the Riau KSDA Center office, the Director General of KSDAE (Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems), Ir. Wiratno, was present. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the parties involved in handling the Sumatran Tiger Conflict in Pelangiran.

"Wildlife conservation is a joint effort, therefore the parties must continue to work together and strengthen each other. After the Bonita case, our work is still not finished, we must continue to make monitoring efforts, so that the same conflict does not occur again in the future." Wiratno reminded

Tiger conflicts in this area have been monitored since December 2016 and responded to by stakeholders. For a more intensive response, in December 2017 BBKSDA Riau formed a Joint Rescue Team to rescue Bonita.

Head of the Riau KSDA Center, Suharyono stated, "The rescue team was formed in December 2017, but before it was implemented in the field, there were already casualties. So the strategy of securing tigers changed to trauma recovery, capture and removal of tigers."

Febri Anggiawan Widodo, Research and Monitoring (Tiger and Elephant) Module Leader of WWF Indonesia appreciated the success of the Joint Rescue team in saving Bonita. He said that since December 2016, this Sumatran tiger has been seen appearing around the area of the oil palm plantation area owned by PT. THIP (Tabung Haji Indo Plantation).

Since the appearance of the tiger in the area, WWF has also been actively assisting the Riau KSDA Center to carry out several conflict mitigation activities such as; reviewing the field to see the actual situation. Reviewing some of the studies and monitoring results that have been carried out, and getting involved in socialization and negotiations to increase security for Sumatran tigers.

After the incident that killed Jumiati on January 3, the Joint Rescue team immediately went to the scene to review the location and provide assistance to the community. Until the second incident occurred on March 10, the Joint Rescue team was still at the location to conduct routine patrols and socialization to the community after the second victim fell.

On Friday (20/4) morning local time, encouraging news came from Tanjung Simpang Village. Because the Rescue team managed to save Bonita. The Rescue Team, which at that time saw Bonita in the oil palm plantation area block 79/12 Estate Eboni owned by PT THIP, immediately shot Bonita with a tranquilizer. This tranquilizer shooting was carried out as a last resort in Bonita's rescue strategy.

Since the Jumiati incident on (3/1), the Rescue team has set several boxtraps (traps) that have been equipped with bait to lure Bonita into the trap. These traps were spread in various locations that Bonita often crossed. However, up to ten traps have not produced any significant results.

Bonita has now been evacuated to the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation's Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center (PR-HSD) in Dharmasraya. Like a hospital clinic, Bonita will be treated and rehabilitated first before being released again. This is done because Bonita is indicated to have experienced changes in behavior.

"Currently Bonita is healthy and calm. This is the first time I have encountered a tiger in the translocation process, rarely roaring. Bonita is very calm and only roars once and even then it is not loud. Instead, she (Bonita) seemed to be enjoying licking her feet. Like she was comfortable. This is also an indication that there is a change in behavior in Bonita." said Executive Director of the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation, Catrini Pratihari Kubontubuh in a press conference at the Riau KSDA Center, Saturday (21/4).

"Previously, behavioral changes that occur in tigers have only been studied in Russia and India. Especially for Sumatran Tigers in Indonesia, never before. The results of Bonita's research will be a great contribution to Indonesia and the world." continued Catrini again.

Behavioral changes in Bonita have become a serious concern for conservation practitioners involved in the Joint Rescue team in Tanjung Simpang Village. Bonita often roams during the day and is not awkward when meeting humans. Normally, Sumatran tigers would tend to avoid humans, instead of approaching them.