There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
I completely agree with you Peter, big cats are observative and inquisitive. They are smart animals.
in fact that young tiger Aliman, did not hesitate following the team to the village and spent the night circling the house where they stayed.
talk about a curious animal, eh?
You can say there's a war going on in sumatra right now, but you know, actualy the war is started long time ago
right from the time where's sumatra is still an island almost fully covered with thick jungles, completely a wild place ruled by tigers as the top predator.
The time when people were still living on their own backyard, not yet expanding their territory as the do right now to create palm oil plantation which caused forest destructions.
at that time, tigers killing people more than the other way around. the Dutch often report this kind of news.
after WWII, things didn't change much, Tigers still dominating the 'war' in sumatra.
Suara Rakjat Sumatera (Sumatran Voice) on Februari 26 1952 wrote at least 200 man killed by tigers in Musi Ilir/Rawas area in about five years time.
it said that tigers coming to villages killing cattle and then humans. these tigers were not afraid of human at all.
for example one of those tigers broke down the door and killed 3 people inside the house.
During that chaotic moments, lot of people decided to sold their farmland and then move to the city to avoid these aggressive big cats.
another newspaper, Harian Fikiran Rakjat on Februari 4 1955 wrote that in Jambi 40 people killed by tigers in one month only.
not try to exaggerate things here, but this is really happened. seems like sumatrans tiger is the most aggressive and vicious tiger toward humans.
they have the power of the big cats (bengal/siberian tiger) with the agility and speed of the small cats (cougar/leopard).
it's a lethal combination i would say. the Sundarband tigers seems to follow the same pattern. small but aggressive toward humans.
anyway Peter, have you seen the documentary 'Sumatran Last Tiger' yet?
the researcher said one of the collared tiger swims 3 km to the sea only to go back again on land.
ok we know they are great swimmers but this is pretty crazy isn't it?
why a tiger do that? looking for new territory or tryng to cath its prey? we have no idea. what do you think about it?
well .. things like this reminds us that we know very little about the true life of wild tigers
The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)
