It is indeed tragic to learn of the death of victims killed by tigers and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) sympathised with the families. At the same time SAM is equally appalled at the merciless killing of a tigress with several shots by the forest rangers and policemen.

It was termed "killer" through no fault of its own but through the callous action of those who are in possession of firearms for hunting, protection of crops or for the thrill of shooting. These are the culprits who caused the death not only of an endangered species but the death of innocent beings.

Repeated calls by SAM for a ban on hunting licences have fallen on deaf ears. SAM is aware of cases of misuse of firearms not only by the public but also by Rela members, army, politicians and those in high places. It is impossible for the Wildlife Department and police to keep track of each and every licensed gun owner in their nefarious activities.

Hunting causes stress through such things as break up of family units and orphaning of young animals. The issuance of licences for all sorts of guns should be stopped immediately by both the police and Wildlife Department. There should be a total ban on hunting in sensitive areas where tigers can be found.

Apart from being targets of shooters, voracious human appetite for land have resulted in vulnerable populations existing only in small fragmented habitats where their survival is unviable. Small populations consisting of few individuals have no future while medium-sized population face elimination due to competition for habitats unless these habitats are linked by protected 'natural corridors', through which tigers and their prey may disperse.

Major developmental activities are undertaken without adequate study and care to minimise impacts. Mindless developmental activities are being permitted in protected forests and are emerging as a major threat to earnest conservation efforts.

These are undertaken without adequate study emerging as a major threat to conservation efforts. Protected areas are not as 'pristine' as they are believed to be; developmental and resource-use activities are going on in a majority of these.

Whenever land is opened up for usage for agricultural purposes no assessment is carried out on the wildlife present in the area and to see what can be done to minimise impact.

Destruction of thick forests has made it easier for poachers to track down this magnificent animal and all species that share its habitat.

Trouble with our country is there is so much human interference in tiger territory that the animals are perpetually disturbed and displaced. Unlike turtles and birds, there is no local conservation strategy for tigers. Reason is because there is no suitable forest area to ensure that the tiger gets proper food and shelter.

The human-tiger conflict has more to do with mismanagement of protected forests and complete lack of political will by state governments in their allocation of forests for specific purposes.

The last stronghold for tigers are fragmented by dams, highways, land resettlement schemes, agricultural lands all undertaken without adequate study and care to minimise impacts.

To uproot tigers and place them behind zoos is not a long term solution to the problem. With no political dedication and interest the battle to save the tiger will be lost. There is no time to lose in saving our big cats.

This warrants urgent action such as the protection of existing tiger habitats through linkages of core areas with healthy tiger population; the establishment of a tiger sanctuary/reserves should be considered for the relocation of trapped tigers; ban hunting licences to ensure the food source of the tiger is not depleted; and bigger funding in areas of research, environmental education, instilling awareness, capacity building and community work.