Malaysia: Tiger sighting 'proves success of breeding project'

New Straits Times 2 Jun 11;

KUALA TERENGGANU: The recent sighting of a female tiger with a cub in Kampung Jambu Bongkok in Dungun struck fear in villagers, but the authorities here see it as a positive sign that its tiger breeding programme is a success.

However, Terengganu Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Yusoff Shariff yesterday urged the villagers not to take matters into their own hands by provoking the animals.

He said a team of experienced officers was sent to the area to capture and relocate the animals following reports of tigers attacking cattle in the village and at the nearby Felda Rantau Abang in Marang.

"If the sightings of the mother and cub are true, it is good news for our breeding programme, and we hope to catch the animals alive.

"We are setting up a trap with the help of the villagers, but we are unsure if the tigers are still there as they migrate in search of food."

He said tigers were generally shy and avoided humans, but the sightings could have been caused by the tigers being disturbed by human activity, such as land clearing, which destroyed their natural habitat, and poaching.

He said poachers were affecting their conservation programme as they were willing to break the law to earn between RM45,000 and RM60,000 for every tiger caught.

He said the tiger population was estimated at 500, most of which lived in the country's national parks, with around 30 to 45 living in the forests of Terengganu.

Wildlife Dept to target poachers
The Star 3 Jun 11;

KUALA TERENGGANU: The State Wildlife and National Parks Department will crack down on poachers, in particular those who hunt tigers.

Perhilitan director Yusoff Shariff said the department’s personnel had been monitoring the situation in the state closely.

“We have been conducting various operations and raids on poachers, especially those hunting tigers, which are on the endangered and protected species list,” he told The Star yesterday.

Commenting on recent sightings of tigers in villages in Marang, Yusoff said the animals might have ventured out of their habitat to escape poachers.

He urged anyone with information on illegal hunting and poachers to contact the department at 09-622 1460.