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Indonesian villagers killed and slaughtered endangered Sumatran tiger mistaking it for a mythical shape-shifter.
BEACON TRANSCRIPT – A wildlife photographer reveals that villagers from a Northern Indonesia village killed and disemboweled a Sumatran tiger because they thought it was a mythological creature. With only 400 Sumatran tigers remaining, the authorities have stepped up their antipoaching and conservational efforts in an attempt to save this tiger subspecies.
Sumatran Tiger Thought to Be a Shape-Shifter
According to Hotmauli Sianturi, a Natural Resources Conservation Agency spokesperson, the event that allegedly occurred on Sunday in the remote Indonesian village is regrettable, and efforts are being made to educate people on wildlife conservation policies.
Believing it to be a ‘siluman’ or shape-shifter, the villagers hunted down and killed the majestic Sumatran tiger who, according to one of the villagers, made its home under a stilt.
Furthermore, it would appear that before taking the matter into their own hands, the villagers went to speak with the rangers about removing the large predator. Members of Indonesian Natural Resources Conservation Agency moved in and attempted to ensnare the tiger, and have it relocated.
Fearing that the dangerous creature might kill more people, the villagers tracked it down to the lair and killed it with a spear. Albeit suspicious, the people believed the Sumatran tiger to be a shape-shifter, a mythological creature, this being the reason why it was marked as dangerous.
However, the Natural Resources Conservation Agency declared that the tiger, which now adorns the village’s hall is missing several body parts including teeth and internal organs, parts that are mainly harvested by poachers and sold on the international black market.
Conclusion
It’s unclear whether or not the villagers will be punished by the authorities, but Sianturi declared that the agency would make extensive efforts to prove that the ritual sacrifice of the tiger was only a smoke curtain used to draw attention from a poaching ring.
Image source: Wikipedia
