Angry Tigers Trap 5 Men in Trees for 5 Days. Here's What Happened
Five Indonesian men were trapped up a tree by prowling Sumatran tigers. They were hunted down by tigers after they accidentally killed a tiger cub.
By Sadho Ram — 09 Jul 2013, 05:57 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
Trapped in trees by tigers, 5 men rescued after five days
Five men were surrounded by tigers and stranded in a tree for 5 days. The men were rescued Monday from their perch in Gunung Leuser National Park on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island
The men were forced to take to the trees after they accidentally trapped and killed a tiger cub in the national park located in the northern part of Sumatra last Tuesday.
time.com
A sixth man was mauled to death. The 28-year-old sought refuge with his companions but, police said, “the branch broke, causing him to fall to the ground”.
Jamal Gayo, from the conservation group Leuser International Foundation, said the five were weak after not having had food for three days.
7 Sumatran tigers were angered when the foragers accidentally trapped and killed a cub. The tigers then mauled one man to death
After men accidentally killed a cub, the adult animals treed them for five days
Image via publicbroadcasting.netHere's what happened
They had entered the park in the hopes of harvesting agarwood, a valuable and rare wood used to make incense.
time.com
During their trek, the men had laid traps for deer and antelope for food, but a tiger cub was caught and killed instead.
The adult tigers responded to the death by attacking the men, forcing them to flee up a tree. One man was killed when his branch broke.
Villagers attempted to rescue the five remaining men, after receiving undoubtedly urgent cell phone calls from them, but turned back for reinforcements after seeing “at least four large Sumatran tigers."
time.com
Dozens of rescuers, including local police, were called in, but the rescue team needed three days to reach the rugged area, according to district police chief Lt. Col. Dicky Sondani speaking to the AP.
independent.ie
FACT ABOUT SUMATRAN TIGERS: They are extremely rare. Only 350 remain in the wild
Sumatran tigers are extremely rare. Only 350 remain in the wild. (Photo credit: Brimack / Flickr)
Image via staticflickr.comSumatran tigers are the smallest of their kind and critically endangered. They’re found only on that island. Researchers count only 350 left in the wild and another 361 in zoos all over the world.