The gruesome news of a Malaysian tiger butchered into several pieces made headlines recently.

Acting on a tip-off, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in Kelantan seized a dead tiger. The man involved was also arrested and is expected to be charged soon.

This is a good example to illustrate how swift public reports translate into effective enforcement action. It is because of the villagers who informed the authorities that the alleged criminal has been apprehended. For this, the villagers will be duly rewarded in monetary terms.

All players in the illegal trade in tigers, from the poacher to the middleman, to the dealer and consumer must be duly prosecuted for the offences they commit. The man arrested in this current case must be imposed with the maximum penalty, if found guilty, as a deterrent for future cases.

The public must not support the illegal trade in tigers in any way. Do not buy tiger parts or products claiming to contain tiger derivatives. Do not patronise restaurants serving tiger meat, as this too is a punishable offence.

Notify the DWNP office closest to you if you have any information on anyone selling or trapping protected species, or trading in their parts and products.

The writer is the director-general of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular.