SEPANG: The Peninsula Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is adopting better technological and scientific approaches in its animal conservation efforts particularly in protecting the Malayan Tiger.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said among initiatives being put in place included improving connectivity of camera visuals to the mobile phones of its officers and roping in animal forensic experts in handling criminal cases.
The department is also in the midst of carrying out a survey on the tigers, to establish its exact number in the country. This effort is expected to be completed in three years.
Statistics put the number at 300 (in the Peninsula) but the ministry is confident there could be more in unexplored areas.
"At the moment there are more than 200 cameras in the national parks and forest reserve, but sometimes when the cameras capture images of the animals, we have trouble obtaining the footage, so we need to have a strategic connection.
"In terms of forensic experts, we need to establish and collect more DNA samples for advance criminal investigations," he said after the ministry's monthly gathering at Paya Indah Wetlands, here, today.
He also said the ministry would be extending the hunting season moratorium on deers for the next six years following the expiry period, which ended in Nov last year.
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