Govt to step up efforts to protect Malayan tigers - Nik Nazmi

The government remains committed to intensifying conservation efforts for Malayan tigers, estimated to be fewer than 150 throughout the country.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said there’s an increase in the number of community rangers from 1,000 to 2,000 people consisting of armed forces veterans, police, Orang Asli and the local community this year.

“There is good progress when there are community rangers in their habitats to combat poachers.

“This is our ongoing effort to restore as many wildlife corridors as possible in the central peninsular area which is a place for tigers to roam," he told reporters after flagging off and participating in the 3.5-kilometre “Run for the Stripes” in conjunction with World Tiger Day 2024 at Taman Metropolitan Kepong today.

He said the shrinking Malayan Tiger habitat is also a challenge because it increases conflict and creates problems for the country's iconic species.

"Sometimes it involves feeding problems. The animals that should be prey for these tigers are also decreasing such as wild boar, sambar deer... that also causes problems.

“The tigers will leave the forest area because there is not enough food in the forest," he added.

More than 1,000 joined the run, organised by WWF-Malaysia and Maybank.

Nik Nazmi said it was one of the efforts to raise awareness among the public about World Tiger Day which will be celebrated on July 29.

- Bernama

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