Combating wildlife crime in the Leuser Ecosystem, Sumatra

Forum Konservasi Leuser (FKL) serves to protect the Leuser Ecosystem, one of the most biodiverse hotspots in the world; home to rhino, orangutan, tigers and elephants. The area is under enormous threat from poachers and deforestation to make room for roads and palm oil plantations

Leuser Sumatran Tiger. Camera trap FKL

The ProjectThe Sumatran tiger, by many considered the most beautiful of all tiger sub species, is critically endangered.

Less than 500 individuals survive in the wild and numbers are still declining. The vast Leuser Ecosystem in northern Sumatra is one of the last true wilderness areas of South East Asia and offers the best hope for the long term survival of this species. However, Leuser’s tigers are continuously threatened by professional tiger poaching, depletion of key prey species and habitat fragmentation due to the construction of new roads. Working in conjunction with local communities and the Ministry of Forestry, this project aims to establish long term and systematic anti-poaching patrols to keep Leuser’s most critical tiger breeding zones 100% free of snares.

The project will:

- Conduct and evaluate regular tiger patrols

- Create and distribute an educational booklet to local tour guides and businesses

- Create a long term tiger strategy and secure funding for continuation of patrols in critical areas