KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in collaboration with the Malaysian Zoological Society (MZS) has initiated a tiger conservation and restoration programme at Zoo Negara.
KL mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahalan said city hall would donate RM360,000 for the programme in an effort to protect and maintain the endangered tiger species population in Malaysia.
He said the donation for the three year programme would cover food, maintenance and medical fees of the adult tigers as well as three newly born cubs - Wira, Hebat and Melur.
"The programme will be carried out for three years beginning today and we are hoping to continue such programmesin the future to protect these endangered species in the country.
"Currently, there are only 150 Malayan tigers left in the jungles of West Malaysia.
"This species is prone to poachers’ activities and therefore a proactive solution should be carried out in order to restore the population of tigers in the country.
"For instance, India and Nepal, has successfully increased their respective tiger population. In 2009, the tiger population In Nepal stood at 120 tigers but now the number has increased to 235 tigers.
"The number of their Siberian tigers has also risen from 20 to 500 Siberian tigers. It shows that with collaboration and efforts from various parties as well as the government, this can be achieved, which would help conserve the endangered animal populations in the world," he said.
Nor Hisham said this at the 'Selamatkan Si Belang' endangered species restoration initiative programme at Zoo Negara here today.
He said KL City Hall also hopes to see a more balanced and sustainable development and environment in the future.
Nor Hisham said it was city hall's responsibility to preserve eco-systems and thus, the proposed Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2040 would incorporate more sustainable and environment-friendly development.
"We want to provide a life of quality for the people in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, we need to have more such programmes and assistance by all in order to conserve and preserve the environment in the midst of ongoing development projects in the city," he said.
Zoo Negara zoology and veterinary director Dr Mat Naim Ramli said the cost to feed an adult Malayan tiger amounts to about RM120,000 annually .
"The cubs are still breast feeding and share some solid food with their mother.
"All three cubs are in good health with each cub weighing an average of 12kg while the tigress weighs about 100kg," he said.
Melur, Wira and Hebat were born on May 1 this year.
The cubs were named by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, who is patron of the Save Our Malayan Tigers campaign.