Bengkulu (ANTARA News) - Dozens of families from the Kumayan Hamlet are fleeing their homes to Talang Beringin village, Seluma District of Bengkulu, as a rouge Sumatran tiger (Phantera tigris sumatrae) is at large in their neighborhood.

"Dozens of people have fled to the nearby village in a bid to avoid a tiger attack," Head of Talang Beringin Village Dahar stated here, Thursday.

Kumayan Hamlet is inhabited by 22 families. Most of them have fled the hamlet.

"People can still hear the tigers roar. Its paw prints are everywhere. That is the reason why they are fleeing," Dahar said.

It was earlier reported that a local farmer, Lisman (53), was attacked by the tiger at a rubber plantation, located near Kumayan Hamlet, on Sunday (Feb.22).

Regional Section II Head of Bengkulu Natural Resource and Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Darwis Saragih noted that he has deployed a team to catch and relocate the tiger.

"We have deployed a team to catch the tiger and to calm the local people," he added.

The plantation, where the attack occurred, is located at the border of Taman Buru Semindang Bukit Kabu, which is a natural habitat for Sumatran tigers.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015