Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Javanese tigers are reportedly still roaming. This animal, which was thought to be extinct, was seen in the interior of the Sukabumi forest.
In 2019, a number of residents of Cipendeuy village, South Sukabumi, said they saw the animal. Footprints, scratches and even a piece of fur were also found.
To prove the truth, a DNA test was carried out on a piece of feather that was found. The results indeed stated that the fur came from a Javanese tiger.
Researchers conducted research by studying mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This is genetic material with samples dating back to the museum since 1930.
For comparison samples, namely fur samples from several subspecies of Javanese tiger and leopard (Panthera pardus melas).
“From comprehensive mtDNA analysis, we concluded that the fur samples taken in South Sukabumi came from Javanese tigers and were from the same group as the specimens taken in 1930,” said the research team.
However, according to the research team in a scientific report in the journal Oryx, they recommend carrying out further research regarding the existence of the Javan tiger. “Whether Javan tigers still live in the wild must be confirmed by further genetic and field research,” said the research team.
This latest news has made Indonesian wildlife protection activists excited. Even the Ministry of Environment and Forestry is ready to follow up on this research.
Reuters reported that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry will also install cameras and carry out a wider range of DNA searches. The Indonesian government will also consult with geneticists.
“This research has spurred speculation that Javanese tigers are still at large. We are ready and will try to follow up on this,” said Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Setyawan Pudyatmoko, to Reuters.
For your information, the Javanese tiger was included in the Red List of extinct animals by the International Nature Conservation Agency (IUCN) in 2008.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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