Home » BRIN Initiates Genetic Study on Extinct Javan Tiger Fur Found in Sukabumi, West Java

BRIN Initiates Genetic Study on Extinct Javan Tiger Fur Found in Sukabumi, West Java

Ayu Rizka
10:00, 28 Mar 2024

A recent discovery in the Sukabumi area of West Java has raised speculation about the existence of the extinct Javan Tiger. According to an article published in the Oryx journal by Cambridge University Press on 21st March 2024, feather samples found resemble those of the Javan Tiger specimen.

Titled “Is the Javan tiger Panthera Tigris Sondaica extant? DNA analysis of a recent hair sample,” the journal has sparked significant interest among Indonesians. The Javan Tiger was declared extinct in the 1980s due to extensive hunting, leading to a drastic decline in its population.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Seasia News (@seasia.news)

Genetic evidence suggesting the presence of Javan Tigers was uncovered through collaborative research conducted by scientists from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Sustainable Educational Landscape (BEL) Foundation, and the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA).

The BRIN research team concluded, “Through a comprehensive analysis of mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA), we determined that the hair samples from South Sukabumi belonged to Javan tigers, sharing genetic similarities with DNA preserved from Javan tigers at the Zoologicum Bogoriense Museum, collected back in 1930.”

“Confirmation of the existence of the Javan tiger necessitates further investigation through genetic analysis and field studies,” they emphasized.

The hair sample was stumbled upon by Kalih Reksasewu, prompted by a report from Ripi Yanuar Fajar, a resident of Cipeundeuy Village in Sukabumi, West Java. Fajar claimed to have encountered an animal resembling the Javan tiger, a species believed to be extinct, on 19th August 2019.

“The comparison of hair samples from the Sukabumi Tiger indicates a similarity of 97.06% to the Sumatran Tiger and 96.87% to the Bengal Tiger. In contrast, the Javan Tiger specimen from the MZB collection exhibits a 98.23% similarity to the Sumatran Tiger,” stated the researchers.

Their confidence was bolstered by the discovery of claw marks resembling those of a tiger. However, BRIN researchers are currently in the process of investigating the potential existence of Javan Tigers and cannot definitively confirm their presence until further research is conducted.

Interested in this topic? Check out our other articles from Social Expat!

A 10-Year-Old Child in Central Kalimantan Found Dead After Attacked by Giant Crocodile

Content Writer

Yuriz absolutely loves content writing and exploring the nitty-gritty of various topics. It all started by chance, but writing quickly became an essential part of her life! Plus, she is a huge K-pop fan, jamming out to it all day, every day!

See More Articles From Ayu Rizka >>

Hotels and Tourist Boats in Labuan Bajo Will Soon Be Prohibited from Using Plastic Bottled Drinking Water

Plastic waste is a significant challenge for tourism in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). In response, the Regent of West Manggarai, Edistasius Endi, has banned tour boats, hotels, restaurants, food stalls, and offices in Labuan Bajo from using plastic bottled or glass drinking water for guests. This measure is part of […]

Indonesian Content Creator Bitten by a Snake on a Sensitive Area: How Did It End?

The story of Si Aden, an Indonesian content creator known for his global exploration of reptiles, has once again captured the attention of netizens. This time, it is not only due to his bravery but also because of an unexpected incident he shared in a viral Instagram video. The video, which has garnered 28.5 million […]

Indonesia’s Minister Advocates for Moscow-Jakarta Direct Flight Route to Boost Economic Ties

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, is pushing for the establishment of a direct flight route between Moscow and Jakarta. The move aims not only to enhance people-to-people cooperation but also to support business leaders from both nations. In a statement at an event, Airlangga highlighted the importance of direct flights between Moscow […]

Register A Company in Indonesia 2025: Guide to Safely Registering A Business

In this article, Social Expat is joined with Givenia, a professional legal associate from LMI Consultancy, to answer your most common questions in regard to registering a company in Indonesia in 2025. You may have noticed a lot of conflicting information on the internet and in social media groups about registering a new business in […]