KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Tapirs (tapirus indicus) are literally being driven to their graves as the number of tapirs killed by vehicles continue to soar on Malaysian roads.
Tragic road deaths have become more frequent as more tapirs are wandering onto roads and highways due to increased habitat loss brought about by human activities including deforestation and illegal trade.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), Datuk Hamim Samuri said a total of 35 deaths caused by collision with vehicles were recorded between 2010 and 2015.
The Wildlife and Natural Parks Department (Perhilitan) also received 68 tapir-related complaints during the period.
It is estimated that only 1,100 - 1,500 tapirs remain in the wild in Peninsular Malaysia.
Hamim said the ministry is aware of the development and have come up with solutions by implementing the Safe Tapir Crossing (STC), an initiative by Perhilitan to reduce road-kills.
By putting up road signs, tranvers bars (animal crossing guard) and amber lights at identified crossing spots, it will help provide a safe way for tapirs to get from one side to the other.
“There are also special programmes to relocate tapirs to safe forest havens, to carry out research and conservation programmes and a special plan called The Malayan Tapir Conservation Action Plan (MaTCAP) which lays out the strategy for more efficent conservation in the next 10 years.
“The government had also allocated RM1.18 million in the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020) for the purpose of tapir conservation,” he said.
Samuri, who is also Ledang MP, was speaking during the launch of the Malayan Tapir Awareness Campaign which started today at Publika shopping mall in Sri Hartamas.
The exhibition is being held until May 8, featuring an exhibition of 3,000 miniature clay tapirs made by school children across the country.