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Wildlife Dept steps in as tiger population dips below 150

KUALA LUMPUR: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has launched a study to monitor the critically endangered wild Malayan tiger population, which is believed to be fewer than 150 left in the wild.

Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the department was conducting regular monitoring of the Malayan tiger (Panthera Tigris Jacksoni) in its natural habitat, focusing on areas that were prone to human-tiger conflicts.

The crisis had prompted high-level government intervention, with the prime minister presiding over the National Task Force for Malayan Tiger Conservation (MyTTF), established after a cabinet meeting in June 2021.

"MyTTF is a collaboration between Federal and state governments to address this critical situation," said Kadir.

The task force had been tasked with coordinating national policies, legislation and conservation strategies.

The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry had implemented long-term conservation measures to protect Malayan tigers through its Wildlife and National Parks Department.

Recent tiger deaths have highlighted the urgent need for conservation efforts.

In June, authorities discovered a tiger carcass in Kelantan's Sungai Dabong, while another tiger died in a road accident on the North-South Expressway in Perak last July.

Kadir urged the public to support the fight against wildlife crimes and report suspicious activities through official channels.

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