JELEBU: Negri Sembilan Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) today urged residents not to harm a stray tapir which had wandered into the Pertang residential area recently.
The advice came following a viral post shared by netizens on various social media platforms yesterday.
State Perhilitan director Wan Mat Wan Harun, said the department would investigate the matter although no official complaint has been received so far on the incident.
He said while checks are being conducted, residents should avoid harming the animal if it wandered into their area.
"We will monitor to ensure that the tapir is safe and can be returned to its original habitat. We believe the tapir had wandered into the residential area searching for food.
"Tapir is a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act, Act 716 of 2010, Schedule 2," he said when contacted.
Wan Mat added that it is an offence to catch, injure or hunt the animal.
"We believe the tapir came from Triang or Serting Reserve Forest. It is likely that it had wandered into the residential area because its own habitat had been cleared for development.” he said.
He added that residents should contact Perhilitan immediately on sightings of the animal in their area.