Forest Fires Near Berbak and Sembilang Threaten Sumatran Tiger Habitat
Wildfires in Berbak and Sembilang National Park are closing in on the forest area that shelters Sumatran tigers, prompting urgent firefighting efforts.
Fires burning in the scrub and grasslands of Berbak and Sembilang National Park are approaching the primary forest that provides habitat for the endangered Sumatran tiger. TNBS Head Yunaidi said the flames are still about two to three kilometres from the core tiger area, but the proximity raises concerns about smoke inhalation and potential spread. A fisherman heard tiger vocalizations near the fire, yet no animals have been found harmed so far.
The blaze, which started on August 9, 2026, has scorched an estimated 1,000 hectares, though official measurements are pending. Fire crews face water shortages and remote hotspots, leading the authority to build a small reservoir and divert river water to the site. The Regional Disaster Management Agency and the military are assisting to keep the fire from reaching the protected forest.
Why it matters
The fires threaten a critical habitat for the endangered Sumatran tiger, highlighting conservation and disaster-response challenges.
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