Malaysia: Three jungles gazetted as tiger habitat

The Star 24 Mar 11;

TEMERLOH: Taman Negara and the jungles of Merapoh, Lipis have been gazetted as tiger habitat research areas in Pahang.

State Department of Wildlife and National Parks director Khairiah Mohd Sharif said Taman Negara, the Main Range and several forests in Perak, Terengganu and Johor are home to the Malayan tigers (Pantera tigris).

“Tigers like cool wetland areas which offer them sufficient food sources,” she added.

Based on Perhilitan’s study, the current population count is at 500 cats in the jungles of peninsula Malaysia.

“They are totally protected and cannot be hunted or kept,” she said.

In the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, which took affect this year, those who kill, posses the meat, nails, skin or other parts of the tiger can be charged under Section 68 of the Act, which carries a jail term of up to five years and a fine of up to RM500,000. – Bernama.