According to WWF Malaysia, the Malayan Tiger has become a priority conservation target as reports have shown that there are less than 150 wild tigers left in Malaysia. Back in the 1950s, Malaysia has recorded about 3,000 wild tigers but due to the rapid development, agriculture expansion and habitat loss, the number of wild tigers have dwindled significantly. The Malayan tiger is Totally Protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and is classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species.
WIld female tiger rescued by Perhilitan after it was injured in a poacher’s trap
Last Friday (June 16), local newswire agency, BERNAMA has reported that a female tiger was rescued by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) after it was entrapped and injured in a poacher’s trap located in Gua Musang, Kelantan.
Source: BERNAMA
Kelantan Perhilitan director Mohamad Hafid Rohani revealed that the incident was alerted by a farm staff and the rescue operations involved multiple departments such as, the Wildlife Conservation Division, Perhilitan Headquarters Kuala Lumpur and Perhilitan Kelantan as well as the National Wildlife Rescue Centre and the National Tiger Conservation Centre.
However, the rescue operation was said to be difficult as the tiger was trapped near the steep area of the riverbank. In addition to it raining heavily, the rescue party was left with little options and could only access the situation by using a motorboat.
Source: NST
“We had to use a tranquiliser gun to temporarily put it to sleep to aid our rescue process”, said Mohamad Hafid, adding on that the rescue operation only started at 10:30am after the tiger’s position was obtained through the usage of drones.
Initial checks have discovered that the female tiger was snared on its left ankle and a physical examination along with its blood samples have been carried out. The entire rescue operation has taken 3 hours involving 21 personnels and the tiger has been safely transported to the Wildlife Rescue Centre for further treatments.
Hafid then emphasised that the culprit or culprits, if convicted could be fined not less than RM50,000, no more than RM100, 000 and jailed no more than 10 years.
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