Sumatran Tiger Inauguration Ceremony

The Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia together with Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to agree on a series of public-private partnership principles to further enhance the protection of a number of endangered species in Indonesia, including Sumatran tigers and others. The agreement, between Asia Pulp & Paper and the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA) – which spearheads conservation efforts on behalf of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry – includes provisions for more coordinated efforts in the areas of infrastructure development for the protection of key species, ongoing measures to successfully manage human-tiger conflict, and further educational initiatives aimed at communities in the areas where the animals are located.

To mark this announcement, a new observation and protection enclosure for tigers was inaugurated in Perawang, Riau province, Sumatra. The new 6×6 meters facility, which was built in cooperation with one of APP’s pulpwood suppliers in Riau, PT. Arara Abadi, allows for the protection, care and monitoring of tigers before they are released into the wild. As well as evaluating the tigers’ medical wellbeing, conservationists seek to ensure that the tigers are capable of surviving in the jungle before they are released.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by officials from the Ministry of Forestry and local Government, conservationists, senior representatives of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Indonesia Safari Park, The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Foundation (YPHS), as well as PT. Arara Abadi and APP personnel.