REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAMBI - Daily Executive Head of Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) in Jambi, Nurzaman said the death of two African lions and a Sumatran tiger at Jambi Zoo was confirmed poisoned. 

On August 12, 2013, a Sumatran tiger named Peter suddenly paralyzed and could not walk. The animal then was treated by veterinarians and BKSDA Jambi officers. Soon, two African lions named Gebo and Sonia also experienced similar thing, including one other cub named Ayu that also experienced same thing.

On August 17, 2013, Peter, Gebo and Sonia could not survive and died on same day and only Ayu survived. Furthermore, Nurzaman said that animal organ samples were taken to Veterinary Investigation Center in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra to be studied in laboratory. It results showed that death of three endangered species were poisoned by strychnine type drug.

"We take samples of organs, such as livers, lungs, kidneys, intestines and rest of animal foods in their stomachs," Nurzaman said recently.

Strychnine type drug can only be distributed by distributors to Department of Animal Husbandry to combat wild dogs. So far, Nurzaman said he had got a clue who was the perpetrator. Jambi Police handles this case and works with Civil Servant Investigators. They had examined four witnesses related to the death.

Chairman of Harimau Kita, a Sumatran Tiger Conservation Forum, Dolly Pritana, condemned the murder. He said it happened the second time in Jambi and it demonstrated the lack of seriousness from Jambi Zoo and agencies to maintain security of animals.

"Animals should be protected, not to be killed with cruelity," Pritana said. 

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