TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Forestry has announced the birth of two Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) cubs at the Lembah Hijau Wildlife Park Conservation Institution in Lampung. This birth is the result of a successful mating between a male tiger named Kyai Batua and a female named Sinta.
Both tigers are survivors of human-wildlife conflict and illegal poaching. Their successful reproduction marks a significant milestone as the first ex situ birth of Sumatran tigers recorded in Lampung province.
Kyai Batua was rescued in early July 2019 by the Bengkulu-Lampung Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park’s Rapid Response Team in West Lampung. Due to a severe injury to his right front leg, Kyai Batua was forced to undergo an amputation.
Meanwhile, Sinta was rescued from Bengkulu Province in December 2024 under similar circumstances, having suffered serious injuries to her right hind leg caused by a snare trap.
The mating program was conducted following the recommendations of the Global Species Management Plan (GSMP) phases III and IV for 2024/2025, coordinated by the Indonesian Zoos Association (PKBSI).
In the Sumatran tiger studbook, Kyai Batua is registered as SB ID 1886, while Sinta is recorded as SB ID 1998. Under the rigorous supervision and care of the veterinary team at Lembah Hijau Wildlife Park, the three-month-old cubs have shown healthy growth and development.
The birth of these two cubs is a positive indicator of effective ex situ conservation management and bolsters efforts to protect a species currently facing intense population pressure in the wild.
Agung Nugroho, Head of the Bengkulu-Lampung BKSDA, expressed his appreciation for the ongoing synergy. "We appreciate the success of Lembah Hijau Wildlife Park in supporting the Sumatran tiger conservation program, which is the result of solid collaboration between the government, conservation institutions, and other stakeholders," he stated in a written release on Monday, May 5, 2026.
He added that this achievement is expected to reinforce a collective commitment to wildlife protection, particularly in mitigating the persistent threats of snares and illegal hunting.
The Chairperson of the Lembah Hijau Wildlife Park Conservation Institution stated that this milestone manifests the institution's dedication to preserving protected wildlife. "This successful birth proves that rescued wildlife can still breed optimally under proper management and represents a tangible contribution to the sustainability of the Sumatran tiger population," he said.
It was further noted that the institution will continue to enhance its wildlife management standards in accordance with animal welfare principles while supporting broader conservation programs.
The Ministry of Forestry emphasized that this birth not only bolsters the population but also holds strategic value for education, research, and raising public awareness regarding wildlife preservation.
The Ministry, through the Bengkulu-Lampung BKSDA, the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, and PKBSI, remains committed to strengthening collaborative conservation programs across both in situ and ex situ environments.