KUALA LUMPUR: Poachers are the biggest threat to the critically endangered panther Tigris jacksoni, more commonly known as the Malayan tiger.
The poachers – mainly from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos - are so menacing that even the tigers' whiskers are not spared.
Tiger Protection Society of Malaysia (Rimau) president Lara Ariffin said every part of the tiger – from whiskers to tails – were traded in illegal wildlife markets.
"Their parts are believed to be used for traditional medicine, local remedies and increasingly as status symbols among some Asian cultures, like in China," she said at a joint media event between the Vinod Sekhar Foundation and Rimau recently.
The event was held in conjunction with World Wildlife Day.
Lara said Rimau came to know that more than 100 poacher camps were discovered in the Royal Belum Forest in Perak, between 2013 and 2017.
"Snares are the poacher's weapon of choice as they are cheap and easy to be set to catch the tiger. There are known cases of tigers suffering for days after being snared.
"Some of the animals simply tear off part of their trapped legs to escape, only to be left limping for life. Others eventually die from hunger, thirst, loss of blood or wound infections," she said.
She also highlighted the excessive hunting of sambar deer for satay meat and 'rending rusa' by restaurants, which led to its dwindling numbers.
"Sambar deer are a favourite source of food for the tiger, which can feed on it for up to 10 days. With the sambar deer itself now facing extinction, its absence from several key protected forests are leaving tigers hungry.
"Hence, saving the sambar deer is crucial to conserving the Malayan tiger," said Lara.
Among the concerted efforts undertaken by Rimau, she said, was the establishment of the Menraq patrol units among the Jahai Orang Asli community living in the Royal Belum Forest Reserve.
Menraq, she said, referred to "people" in the Jahai dialect and was formed as a community-based wildlife protection patrol unit.
"This unit complements the short-handed state rangers in carrying out anti-poaching operations," said Lara, adding that Rimau was thankful to the Petra Foundation for channelling RM1.3 million for its "Save the Malayan tiger" initiatives.
Studies by Rimau showed that the Malayan tiger predominantly existed around forests in the Belum-Temenggor area in Perak, Taman Negara in Pahang, Endau-Rompin in Johor, the Titiwangsa Range in Selangor and southern Thailand.
"Scientists say that tigers are at an existential 'tipping point', or at a critical time when unless significant protection is put in place, they could soon face extinction in the wild.
"The Malayan tiger is the symbol of our national pride. In the 1950s more than 3,000 tigers roamed Malaysia's jungles.
"Today, less than 150 live in the wild," she said, referring to their dwindling numbers from 3,000 tigers in the 1950s, to 500 in the year 2000, 340 in 2012 and just over 200 in 2019.
On another note, Lara said that rainforests once covered over 90 per cent of the Malaysian peninsular.
"Today, less than 45 per cent remains.
"In 1954, there were 2.5 million hectares of rainforest in the country, reducing to 8 million hectares by 1969, 7.4 million in 1972, 6.2 million in 1990 and 6 million in the year 2000.
"This loss of biodiversity has greatly impacted flora and fauna, which are critically endangered just like the Malayan tiger and sambar deer," she said.
She also highlighted how the peninsula's rainforests were very fragmented owing to incessant development, so much so that they no were no longer connected.
"Thus, this curtails the movement and breeding of animals like tigers apart from disturbing the ecological network and balance of the ecosystem.
"There are many reports of tigers and other wildlife dying (from road accidents and the like) while trying to cross from one forest to another," said Lara.
Lara stressed that Rimau's purpose was to ensure that the Malayan tiger survived into the next century.
"We aim to identify gaps in the country's plans to conserve the Malayan tiger and to fund those projects, which will give the most impact for the money donated.
"Learn everything you can about the current situation and share your knowledge of the plight of Malaysia's tigers with others.
"The more people are informed, the more likely they can take action on behalf of the Malayan tiger," she said.
She called on the public to advocate for the tigers by speaking and writing to government officials.
"Encourage them to take stronger action to save and protect tigers.
"Write to key officials like the prime minister and energy and natural resources minister or your state representatives," said Lara.
She also advised the people not to buy tiger products and if they came about illegal sales of tiger parts, to alert the Wildlife Crime Hotline at 019-3564194 or email to report@malayantiger.net.
"Also, do not visit tiger parks, tiger farms, temples that keep tigers and tiger-petting events.
"Support other non-governmental organisations who advocate for and protect tigers and their habitat. Volunteer or fund the ones you like best. Our tigers need your help," said Lara.
Meanwhile, Vinod called for all Malaysians to stand up to conserve the Malayan tiger, all the more as it was our national symbol and a key part of the federation's emblem.
"Tigers are our national icon, the symbol of Malaysian pride.
"Unfortunately, looking at what is happening around us, the extinction of the Malayan tiger will happen sooner than we realise.
"It is time we wake up to the reality of the situation," he said.