The Star 26 Apr 10;
JOHOR BARU: The existence of spotted leopards in the country has been confirmed long before their images were captured on camera traps in the Endau-Rompin National Park, says Malaysian Nature Society Johor.
Its branch adviser Vincent Chow said he had received photographs of a spotted leopard here seven years ago.
“One of the rangers at the park even showed me the photographs in 2003,” he said.
He added that the animal, which had injuries to its rear due to shotgun pellets, had been rescued and sent to the Malacca Zoo.
Chow was commenting on a recent article quoting Wildlife Conservation Society Malaysia programme director Dr Melvin T. Gumal as reporting the first official documentation of the animal based on captured images using state-of-the-art camera traps at the Endau-Rompin national park.
Chow said the sightings of the animal were nothing new although the species remained on the endangered list.
“The animal has been known to roam the forests here. This is a well-known fact among scientists and nature conservationists,” he said.
He also believed that national park authorities should be more discreet about the numbers of animals roaming there as it could spark the interest of poachers.
“Information about the whereabouts of these animals should be kept secret.
“A well-connected poacher can walk across state borders and into national parks in search of these animals, most of which are seriously endangered,” he added.
Chow urged the authorities to step up their efforts to keep these animals safe for them to be appreciated by future generations.
