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Tiger adoption
The government’s proposal to offer rare Sumatran tigers for adoption by wealthy citizens is a giant step backwards in enforcement of wildlife protection laws (protected wildlife cannot be traded or kept, National Law No
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T
he government’s proposal to offer rare Sumatran tigers for adoption by wealthy citizens is a giant step backwards in enforcement of wildlife protection laws (protected wildlife cannot be traded or kept, National Law No.5 1990).
Darori, Director General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, is quoted as saying “there are many orders from rich people who want them, who feel if they own a tiger they are a big shot” and also says “And because these people are rich, they will definitely give them good food.”
There is no correlation between being a rich and giving good food to animals. Real “big shots” would establish and support tiger sanctuaries and rehabilitation programs focused on releasing tigers back into the wild, not keeping them in cages at their homes for the perceived prestige it might bring.
“We have to take concrete steps to protect these animals” says Darori. Sadly, the government’s new adoption idea is a concrete step towards a miserable life of caged isolation rather than towards protection of these critically endangered national treasures.
Natalie Stewart
Jakarta
