Jon Afrizal, Jambi – The impact of the current dry season and deforestation in Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) is believed to be forcing wild tigers to hunt cattle in nearby villages, an official said Wednesday.

Head of the management division at the park, Junaidi, said TNKS officers in Jambi province were searching for tigers believed to be responsible for attacking goats and a cow belonging to residents of the Pungut Hilir and Muara Air villages in Kerinci.

"It's now the dry season, so little trace of the animals can be seen. We cannot conclude whether it was tigers that attacked the cattle or other animals," Junaidi said.

He said M. Nasir, a resident whose cow was reportedly attacked, allegedly fought off the tiger last Friday. Residents claimed the cow's leg was seriously injured but Nasir was fine.

"The fight between Nasir and the tiger lasted three hours. The tiger escaped and ran into the forest. Sanusi suffered no injuries," said one of the residents, Sanusi. He claimed that around 10 tigers frequently roamed in nearby areas.

Junaidi said TNKS officers were having difficultly determining whether the cow was actually attacked by a tiger because it had since been killed by its owner.

However, he said people should remain alert to the possibility of tigers hunting in the vicinity.

He said during the dry season, tigers usually encountered difficulties hunting and so often entered villages searching for food.

"Also during the dry season, cattle and goats leave the villages near the forest to seek out water," Junaidi said.

Damage to the 1.4-million-hectare park largely from deforestation was also forcing tigers to search for food closer to village areas. The park stretches across the four provinces of Jambi, West Sumatra, South Sumatra and Bengkulu.

Deforestation has significantly affected nearly 10 percent of a 250,000 hectare area of forest within the park, located in Jambi.

"Both local residents and newcomers to the area are cutting down trees and essentially cornering the tigers."

Junaidi said the park was currently home to around 125 tigers and doubted the reports of tigers attacking villagers.

"But, it's certainly not possible that the tigers attacked the villages in groups. They are a solitary hunter.

Meanwhile, Kerinci Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sunarwan Sirat confirmed the attacks.

"We have deployed officers to the villages after receiving information about the tiger attacks. It is indeed true that there was an attack by a tiger," Sunarwan said.