Indonesia Launches Search for Presumed Extinct Javan Tiger
Efforts intensify following a DNA study that hints at the species' survival in West Java.
- Indonesia initiates a search for the Javan tiger, a species believed to be extinct since the 1980s, after a DNA study suggested its possible existence.
- The search involves camera traps and DNA sweeps, spurred by a villager's 2019 discovery of a hair strand in West Java that matched the Javan tiger's characteristics.
- Conservation efforts include seeking advice from genetics experts and collecting community data to confirm the tiger's existence.
- WWF Indonesia urges caution in publicizing the findings to prevent potential poaching.
- If confirmed, the Javan tiger will be classified as a protected species, emphasizing the need for societal participation in its preservation.