MELINDUNGI PUNA

Protect Puna

Translation of MELINDUNGI – Indonesian–English dictionary protect [verb] to guard or defend from danger; to keep safe

🌿 In Memory of Puna – A Legacy in Bronze 🐅

Puna, my muse, was a stunning Sumatran Tiger, one of the world’s most critically endangered big cats. Native to the dense forests of Sumatra, these majestic animals are the smallest of the tiger species. Experts fear they could become the first large cat to go extinct this century without urgent intervention.

Puna lived a full and beloved life at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, where she played an essential role in their vital breeding and conservation programme. I had the profound honour of being commissioned to sculpt her while she was still alive, capturing her quiet strength, regal beauty, and indomitable spirit.

The resulting bronze sculpture is titled Melindungi Puna - inspired by the Indonesian word Melindungi, meaning "Protect".

Embedded in its design are the Koru, a symbol of new life, growth, strength, and peace, and at its heart, a pair of sculpted hands gently cradling a tiger paw, a powerful reminder of our shared duty to safeguard these incredible animals.

A percentage of every sale of Melindungi Puna goes directly to The Big Cat Sanctuary to support their critical work protecting all their tigers and big cats, and preserving the future of this irreplaceable species.

Let Puna’s legacy be one of hope, action, and protection. Together, we can make a difference.

Protect 🐅 Preserve 🐅 Melindungi

DIMENSIONS

Height: 27cm / 10.6 inches

Depth: 24cm / 9.5 inches

Width: 20cm / 7.9 inches

Plinth: 15cm x 15cm x 15cm (Made of Bronze Resin)

PRICE

FOUNDRY BRONZE: £3,800 (Including VAT)

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The Big Cat Sanctuary - Puna, 14th May 2025

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Puna, our beloved Sumatran tiger, passed away on Wednesday 14th May.

Puna was our oldest resident, just shy of her 21st birthday, an exceptional age for any big cat. Puna was the second-oldest Sumatran tiger in Europe! She was one of the original cats for many of our team, a lasting memory of our early days when we started as the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in 2000.

Puna was the epitome of what a Sumatran tiger should be. Her striking markings, sleek coat, and bright amber eyes could take your breath away. These stunning features helped to make her the perfect ambassador for what is a Critically Endangered subspecies of tiger.

In her later years, Puna naturally began to slow down and was closely monitored by our keepers and vets. She experienced spinal stiffness and other age-related issues typical in elderly cats. Despite various treatments, we made the difficult decision alongside our vets to let her go peacefully.

Puna will always be remembered as the beautiful and affectionate queen of the Sanctuary. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.”

FOUNDRY BRONZE PUNA - NATURAL ORANGE PATINA OR VERDIGRIS GREEN PATINA

BACK OF PUNA: 'MELINDUNGI', INDONESIAN FOR PROTECT SURROUNDED WITH A KORU (Represents new life, growth, strength and peace)

FOUNDRY BRONZE PUNA WITH VERDIGRIS GREEN PATINA

FOUNDRY BRONZE PUNA IN NATURAL ORANGE PATINA

MELINDUNGI PUNA

Protect Puna

Protect 🐅 Preserve 🐅 Melindungi

KULINDA - CHEETAH WILLOW & WEE WILLOW

PETRA