A Man-eating Tiger

Syarwani Sabi, 70 years old, has been famous as a traditional tiger tamer from Arongan, West Aceh district. He uses traditional methods, such as timbered trap, magic and a dog as bait. "I learned this methods from my ancestors. And I believe that the man-eating tiger would be trapped here,” Syarwani said.

In particular afternoon, the Labuhan Haji community gathered in the wood watching a man-eating tiger that has just been trapped by Syarwani’s magic. The tiger will be brought to the city and handed over to the Natural Resources Conservation Agency.

Meukek community heard about Syarwani’s triumph. After couple of months being haunted by Sumatran tigers (Panthera Tigris Sumatranensis), that killed 6 people, Meukek community sought help from Syarwani Sabi.

Sounds of chainsaw broke the silent in Drien Jalo Village, Meukek, South Aceh district. On Monday afternoon (October 15th, 2007), villagers gathered in the wood and worked together preparing a traditional trap to capture the man-eating tiger.

As the timbered trap ready, Syarwani sat on the ground and started the ritual. Mystical atmosphere suddenly created and people silenced when Syarwani burned Kemenyan (styrax benzoin dryand) and recited mantra. "After this procession, we have to pray to God, ask for his bless," Syarwani said.

"The tigers have been entering the villages and disturbing human being. This is actually human’s fault. They destroyed the tiger’s habitat. Deforestation has been really bad recently,” Syarwani added.

Syarwani succeeded in Meukek. A man-eating tiger has been trapped and brought to Natural Resources Conservation Agency in Banda Aceh.

After no actions for months, Banda Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Agency office finally will relocate the tigers to Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in South Sumatera.

Before the relocation, veterinarians conducted examination of these tigers on June 26th, 2008. The tigers will be identified with a transponder device and tattoo, and will be released in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in South Sumatra.

Irwandi Yusuf, Aceh Governor, opposed this relocation and asked the tigers to be brought back to Aceh.

However, this was against community’s belief. The man-eating tiger should not be released in the former forest.

The Sumatran tiger, or Panthera tigris sumatrae, is the world's most critically endangered tiger subspecies. WWF estimates less than 400 remain in the wood in comparison to about 1,000 in the 1970s.

***