Victims of attacks by tigers, elephants or wild boars will be given financial assistance under a trust scheme to be set up by the government, a report said today.

"We want to help victims of wildlife attacks as the existing Wildlife Protection Act 1972 does not have any provision to compensate victims," Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding was quoted as saying by The Star .

His ministry proposed the creation of the fund and cabinet approved the plan about three weeks ago, Law said.

Lost of habitats

To be known as the Wildlife Attack Victims Assistance Fund, it would have a launching grant of one million ringgit. Victims injured in such attacks would receive RM5,000, he said.

"In cases of victims who die in such attacks, we will give out RM10,000 to their next of kin," he said.

The rate of wildlife attacks has increased due to the loss of habitats and increased tiger and elephant populations as a result of better protection, he said.

Most wildlife attacks involved tigers, elephants and wild boars.

Between 1998 and July 2002, 16 people died and 13 others were injured in wildlife attacks, he said. -- AFP