KUALA LUMPUR: The Malayan tiger is likely to become extinct in the next five to 10 years if no drastic measures are taken to protect the species.
Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said the Malayan tiger population was at a worrying level, with fewer than 200 left, according to the First National Tiger Survey conducted from 2016 to 2018.
“The actual population of Malayan tigers will be known once the survey is completed in 2020,” he said in reply to Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) at the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.
Fahmi had wanted to know about the Malayan tiger population in the country and steps taken to maintain and boost its numbers.
Dr Xavier said his ministry was taking proactive steps to protect the Malayan tiger through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks with the cooperation of government agencies and non-governmental organisations,
He said these included stepping up patrols and monitoring at 20 hunting hotspots.
He said they were also discussing having integrated patrols and enforcement with the armed forces and police.
“There is an agreement with several universities for their biodiversity and forestry students to volunteer to conduct patrols,” he said.- Bernama