Worker has head torn off by tiger at oil palm plantation in Indonesia

A worker was mauled to death by a critically endangered Sumatran tiger - that tore off his head at an oil palm plantation in Indonesia.

Yasonia Zega, 43, had stepped out of the worker camp to visit the toilet when the predator lurking in the undergrowth pounced on him in Siak Regency.

Yasonia's friend, Ilham Sinaga, 31, heard the man's anguished screams and rushed over to see him being dragged away into the nearby forest on July 16 evening.

Ilham gathered the other workers and, armed with flashlights and wooden poles for protection, they combed through the woods in hopes of finding their missing friend alive.

However, after a brief search, the men found Yasonia's mangled body some 20 metres from their accommodation. His head had been torn from his body, while the tiger was nowhere to be found.

Siak Police Chief AKBP Asep Sujarwadi said: 'The victim went out of the shelter to urinate. His co-worker, Ilham Sinaga, heard his scream for help and saw a tiger dragging him away.

'Yasonia's body was found separated from his head. We urge residents in the vicinity to remain vigilant of wild animals and avoid outdoor activities at nighttime.'

Following the gruesome attack, wildlife officials were dispatched to the plantation for patrols as the tiger was still at large.

Yasonia's head was collected and re-attached for a funeral.

Genman Hasibuan, head of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center, said: 'The Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) team of the Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) has been assigned to the scene of the incident to carry out handling and patrols.

'The joint patrols are done to provide a sense of security for the community around the crime scene. The public is urged not to do activities in areas that have the potential to become the habitat of Sumatran tigers.'

The Sumatran tiger is a critically endangered subspecies of tiger native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Known for its distinctive, narrower stripes and smaller size compared to other tiger subspecies, it is uniquely adapted to its dense forest habitat.

However, it faces severe threats from habitat loss and poaching.