KUALA LUMPUR: The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), will ramp up in-situ conservation efforts for the iconic Malayan Tapir.
In conjunction with World Tapir Day today, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the ministry will protect and preserve the endangered species through several initiatives.
These efforts, he said, include bolstering the protection of habitats and ecological corridors, implementing an inventory, managing conflicts through rescue and relocation operations as well as putting up yellow transverse bars, solar amber light and wildlife crossing signages.
"Malaysia is fortunate to host the Malayan Tapir species, which is the largest tapir species in the world.
"The Malayan Tapir differs from other tapirs because this is the only species that has a distinctive black and white colouration once they grow older.
"In terms of ex-situ conservation, the Malayan Tapir breeding programme at the Wildlife Conservation Centre in Sungai Dusun, Selangor produced 18 tapirs in captivity.
"Another 14 tapirs that were rescued during conflict with humans have been released back to their natural habitat since 2008.
"Conservation efforts will be enhanced through the establishment of the Tapir Conservation Centre in Kenaboi, Negri Sembilan, that is expected to complete in 2025," he said.
Takiyuddin also urged all parties to renew their commitment and play their part in conserving the Malayan Tapir by protecting its habitat and slowing down their vehicles while crossing areas marked with wildlife crossing signages.
The Malayan Tapir has been listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its Red List of Threatened Species dan Red List of Mammals for Peninsular Malaysia 2017.
Besides Peninsular Malaysia, the Malayan Tapirs are also found in the southern and central parts of Sumatra as well as in southern Thailand and southern Myanmar.
The herbivores are fully protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 in Malaysia.
The World Tapir Day is celebrated on April 27 every year to raise community awareness on the importance of conserving tapirs and their habitats.