Malaysia: Tackling the problem of consumption of endangered wildlife in the city

WWF 19 May 09;

Selangor - Malaysian wildlife is under grave threat of poaching and smuggling. While people who poach wild animals don’t live in the city, people who consume them (those who eat exotic meat and take traditional medicines made from endangered species) do. To tackle this, the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) continues the campaign by approaching consumers and potential consumers, this time in the neighbourhood pasar malam (night market).

A MYCAT booth, looking like a regular pasar malam stall, was set up but the contents were far from ordinary. The stall had authentic tiger parts including a tiger pelt and bones, deer trophies, snares and traditional medicines derived from endangered species, and graphic posters to illustrate the cruel and illegal nature of poaching and smuggling.

On 13th of May 2009, the team began with the pasar malam in Taman Petaling, followed by Kota Damansara two days later and culminated with the largest pasar malam in Petaling Jaya, in SS2, on 18th of May 2009.

The trained team of MYCAT volunteers from Taylor’s University College, interacted with members of the public to raise concern for tigers and other endangered Malaysian animals.

While this approach has been conducted in rural areas in Malaysia, this was the first outreach of its kind in an urban city hub.