The legend, the Javan tiger could it still exist?

The Javan tiger has a Latin name Panthera tigris sondaica is the only found subspecies of tiger (endemic) Java Island, Indonesia. This tiger has a body size larger than the Bali tiger and roughly the same size as the Sumatran tiger. Male individuals have body weight 100 to 140 kg with body length reaching 200-245 cm, while the female body weight is lighter ie 75-115 kg. The Javanese tiger inhabits the lowland forests with its territories not exceeding 1.200 m.dpl. Unfortunately, This animal has long been declared extinct due to hunting and loss of natural habitat.

Javan tiger extinction

In the early 19th century, Javanese tigers can still be found roaming the forests of Java Island. However around the 1980s, this animal has been declared extinct (Extinct) menurut IUCN Red List. Apart from clearing land which causes the natural habitat of these animals to disappear, massive hunting is also a major factor in its extinction. There is a tradition in the past called Rampogan Macan which also reduced the tiger population in nature. Rampogan Macan is a show of fighting tigers and tigers with other animals such as buffalo and humans. At the show regardless of the outcome of the fight, in the end the Javanese tiger and the leopard will be killed in unison with dozens of spears thrust into his body..

The entry of firearms during the colonialism era caused the hunting of the legendary Javanese cat to become increasingly rampant. The firearms used make hunting of these animals more efficient. other than that, forest clearing in the forced cultivation system that was implemented in that era resulted in a reduction in the natural habitat of these animals. This system also triggers various conflicts between tigers and humans. In the early 1930s Javanese tigers were also widely hunted to be distributed to various zoos such as the London Zoo for circus and performance purposes.. Until finally in the 1950s these animals were thought to only live 25 tail only. This number continues to decline until it is declared extinct.

Refuse to become extinct

Even though it has been declared extinct, however, there are still a number of researchers and conservationists who believe in the existence of the Javan tiger, which is also known as "simbahe". They believe that there are still these individual animals left in the interior of the forests of Tanah Jawa. Of course this belief is supported by strong evidence.

In the year 2008 there are reports of attacks by Javanese Tigers. This began with the discovery of the body of an unknown woman who was allegedly attacked by a tiger in the Mount Merbabu National Park area, Central Java. Local residents also claimed to have seen several tiger sightings around the scene. Another alleged sighting occurred in 1999 2017 in Ujung Kulon National Park which was successfully immortalized by camera. Of course this was horrendous and became viral in various mass media. But that figure at first thought to be Simbahe the, it turns out to be a Javan leopard after being studied in depth by experts. Regarding the recorded stripes, it can be caused by a genetic mutation so that the spotted patches unite and resemble the stripes of a tiger..

Report of the encounter continues to this day

Report on the meeting with simbahe continues to this day although the truth remains to be deeply verified. As happened in the year 2020 then regarding the circulation of a photo of a Javan tiger walking in a pool of water. According to the Director of Java Carnivore Care (PKJ), Didik Raharyono explained that the photo was actually taken in 1958 2018 then. The photo was obtained from a hunter who did not want to be identified. After observing the location of the finding information with the conditions in the photo, Didik said that the verification results were very appropriate. In fact, he did further research by installing camera traps around the location of the findings. Reports regarding the presence of these animals also occurred at the beginning of the year 2021. A resident reported seeing a tiger roaming around the slopes of Mount Wilis, precisely in Nyawangan and Nglurup villages, Sendang District, Tulungagung Regency. The report was immediately followed up by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) East Java, which immediately installed several camera traps.

If indeed the existence of the Javan tiger is still claimed by several parties, Of course, these claims must be accompanied by scientific evidence that can be justified. But what is certain is that when our ignorance of nature preserves, it will drive more and more animals towards the gates of extinction.

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