The Wildlife Management Branch received species profile to facilitate risk assessments for the potential import into Tasmania of;
Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)
Public comments are invited by 21 December 2017
The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is one of six sub-species of the Tiger (Panthera tigris), all of which are either endangered or critically endangered. The Sumatran tiger is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, and is managed in Australia and New Zealand through the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) Australasian Species Management Program (ASMP). The ZAA program provides the maximum possible support for the conservation of Sumatran tigers in the wild via:
- An assurance population against extinction in the wild;
- A potential source population for demographic and/or genetic supplementation in the event of severe decline in the wild;
- As a source population for research that may benefit the conservation of wild tigers or improve our understanding of the species;
- As a source population for training activities that may benefit the management of wild tigers (eg, capture techniques that can be applied to conflict tigers);
- As a charismatic species for exhibition and education programs to increase awareness of human impacts on wildlife and inspire support of conservation activities and actions; and
- As ambassadors for fund-raising efforts for in situ conservation projects that benefit wild tigers and their habitats.
Through the ZAA ASMP the Sumatran tiger may only be offered to wildlife parks and zoos within Australia and New Zealand that are full accredited ZAA members.
The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of all Tiger species and behaviorally, are generally solitary animals.
The
species profile provided has been submitted by a third party, which is predominately used to undertake the risk assessment. DPIPWE has accepted and published the information contained in the species profile in good faith but accepts no responsibility for its accuracy, nor does DPIPWE accept any responsibility associated with the publishing of this material including, but not limited to, liability associated with copyright.
Risk Assessment:
A
risk assessment has been undertaken by specialist staff from the Department including, policy and wildlife officers, ecologists and veterinary officers from Biosecurity Tasmania.
The risk assessment considers three main areas of risk:
- Public safety
- Establishment
- Consequence
The risk to public safety is considered highly dangerous in the event that the species escaped captivity.
The likelihood of establishment is considered extremely low due to an inappropriate climate match.
The consequence of establishment is considered moderate because of the low climate match, and the species is not known to be a pest, would not harm property but could harm livestock.
Taking these factors into consideration, the risk assessment concluded that the risk posed by importing Sumatran tiger into Tasmania is serious.
Mitigation:
Any decision to allow the import of Sumatran tiger into Tasmania would only be considered where:
- The species is imported by a Wildlife Exhibition Licence holder that has appropriate facilities to securely house the species.
- The wildlife exhibition facility can clearly demonstrate they have proficient keepers for that particular species.
Standard conditions associated with the import of a serious risk species include, but are not limited to:
- Import and keeping is only permitted by facilities approved to keep the species under licence.
- The wildlife facility must meet minimum standards for animal welfare, human safety and security.
- The animal must not be released, or be allowed to escape from effective control.
- Animal welfare requirements under the Animal Welfare Act 1993 and any approved Code of Practice or Management Plan must be met.
- Individuals must be micro-chipped or otherwise identified.
- The wildlife facility must be available for inspection at any reasonable time.
- The maximum number of individuals of a species held at the wildlife facility is to be stipulated on the licence, taking into account relevant factors. Gender may also be stipulated.
- Written approval must be sought prior to movement of animals between wildlife facilities and trade of the species under licence.
- Record keeping and reporting must be provided to DPIPWE as required by DPIPWE.
- Collections containing species subject to approval by DPIPWE must accord with the relevant code of practice for keeping that species.
Provided these mitigation measures are in place and continually complied with, the level of risk to Tasmania of holding the Sumatran tiger within a wildlife facility is considered reduced.
Right to Information Act 2009 and confidentiality:
Please note that submissions will be treated as public documents. By law, information provided to the Government may be provided to an applicant under the provisions of the Right to Information Act 2009.
When making your submission, please detail any reasons why you consider the information that you have provided is confidential or should not be publicly released. Your reasons will be taken into account in determining whether or not to release the information.
