Bandarlampung, Ekuatorial – After being rescued from a local plantation, a male Sumatran tiger (Panthera Tigris Sumatrae) finally died during its rehabilitation process at conservation center in Bandarlampung, said an official on Sunday (15/3).
The adult tiger was found already in weak condition at Aer Abang coffee plantation, in Way Tenong sub-district, Liwa district on Sunday noon.
Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park officials evacuated the big cat to the Bandarlampung Green Valley Conservation Institution around 3 p.m. for intensive medical care.
However, after its condition was declining, low body temperature and weak heart beat, it died at around 9.35 p.m.
“We found parasites on the tiger’s organs. But, we have yet to discover the cause of the death,” said Joko Siswanto, one of the veterinarian from Lampung’s Agriculture Ministry.
Siswanto added that they have found worms in its heart, lungs, and intestine.
“The tiger was wounded at its neck which caused him hard to swallow and [we also discovered] decay at its genital with [lots of] maggots there,” said Iwin Kasiwan, head of Region II Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park.
Furthermore, Kasiwan said that doctors have been treating it by giving vitamins and clean up the wound.
“We recommended for the tiger for an autopsy so we can find the caused of death. Maybe in one week time, we can know the laboratory’s test,” he said adding that the carcass will be offset and sent to Lampung Natural Resources Conservation agency. Eni Muslihah