Global warming is an issue that the world has been grappling with for decades, even though it may seem like society only became aware of it a few years ago. Some governments are pushing measures like the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals to try to mitigate the consequences of this phenomenon (although there are still politicians who do not take it seriously). Travelers feel the change: winter sports enthusiasts lack enough snow to engage in their activities, and those who choose to explore cities in the summer melt away as they stroll (or their tour turns into a route through air-conditioned cafes).
The Return of the Javan Tiger 50 Years After Its Disappearance
One of the most serious consequences of global warming is the extinction of millions of animal species. Every day, more than 150 species are lost, so the possibility of recovering a species thought to be extinct is a cause for celebration (especially for biologists who witness the disappearance of 60,000 species each year).
In 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature declared that the Javan tiger had gone extinct, after decades without sightings of the animal. This scientifically named subspecies, Panthera tigris sondaica, was native to the island of Java, Indonesia. A significant number of tigers were killed for attacking livestock, and their natural habitat was destroyed due to constructions and the impacts of global warming, leading to a drastic decline in their population until finding any specimens became impossible.
In 2019, a conservationist living on the island claimed to have seen a Javan tiger in the South Sukabumi forest. Authorities were unsure about the legitimacy of the sighting, as there had been a long history of similar reports.
However, a week later, tracks, claw marks, and a tuft of animal hair were found. Thanks to this evidence, researchers were able to analyze and confirm that it was indeed a Javan tiger. To reach this conclusion, scientists compared the DNA of the tuft with that of similar species.
Nevertheless, researchers working on the case explain that further investigation and study are needed to determine if the Javan tiger is still part of the natural world. Indonesian officials are willing to continue researching to find answers, as there is a strong sense of hope, and authorities state they are already preparing new methods to investigate the case. Although evidence suggests that the species might still exist in the wild, nothing can be confirmed at this stage.