Ecobiz.asia — Two Sumatran tiger cubs have been born at Lembah Hijau Wildlife Park, marking a significant milestone in Indonesia’s efforts to conserve protected wildlife.
The cubs were born to male Kyai Batua and female Sinta, both rescued from human-wildlife conflict and poaching traps. The birth marks the first ex-situ breeding of Sumatran tigers in Lampung Province.
Head of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency Bengkulu-Lampung, Agung Nugroho, praised the achievement.
“We appreciate the success of Lembah Hijau Wildlife Park in supporting Sumatran tiger conservation. This reflects strong collaboration between the government, conservation institutions, and stakeholders,” he said on Monday (May 4, 2026).
He added that the birth is expected to strengthen efforts to protect wildlife, particularly in reducing threats from snares and illegal hunting.
Beyond contributing to population growth, the cubs also hold strategic value for education, research, and public awareness, while reinforcing both in-situ and ex-situ conservation approaches.
Kyai Batua was rescued in July 2019 in West Lampung after being caught in a snare and suffering severe injuries that required the amputation of his front right leg. Sinta was evacuated from Bengkulu in December 2024 with serious injuries caused by a snare, leaving her with a permanent disability in her hind leg.
The breeding was conducted based on recommendations from the Global Species Management Plan (GSMP) 2024/2025, coordinated with the Indonesian Zoo Association. In the studbook, Kyai Batua and Sinta are registered under SB ID 1886 and SB ID 1998, respectively.
The cubs, now around three months old, are reported to be in good health under the supervision of a veterinary medical team.
President Commissioner of Lembah Hijau Wildlife Park, M. Irwan Nasution, said the birth demonstrates the success of managing rescued wildlife.
“This success shows that rescued animals still have the potential to reproduce optimally under proper management,” he said. ***
