Malaysia: Wildlife Dept sets second trap for tigress and cubs

A. Azim Idris New Straits Times 15 Jun 11;

DUNGUN: They had trapped tigers before but it is the first time the state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is setting up traps for a tigress and her cubs.

The tigress was believed to have been behind the spate of attacks on livestock around Felda Rantau Abang 2 here and Kampung Jambu Bongkok in Marang.

Terengganu Perhilitan director Yusoff Shariff said capturing a tiger is not easy.

Trying to capture a tigress and her litter of cubs present a more formidable challenge.

"We could not rule out the possibility of the tigress having more than one cub with her."

He said the department had placed a second trap in an area identified as the tigress' path judging from the numerous tiger tracks found there over the past few weeks.

The department had placed a trap a few kilometres away about two weeks ago.

However, its officials decided to add the second trap to improve their chances of catching the tiger.

A monkey was used as the bait in the 4m-long steel box with trap doors at each end.

Yusoff said there was a high chance that the tigress would venture into the trap alone if it decided to take the bait.

"If that happens, the plan is for us to comb the surrounding area to look for the cubs," he told the New Straits Times when contacted yesterday.

He said the chances of catching the tigress and her cubs are higher now with the two traps laid.

"We prefer to use traps as hunting them down with tranquilisers is more risky both for the tigress and our officers."

He explained that if the tranquiliser dosage was too high it could kill the tiger.

An insufficient dose, meanwhile, could make the animal go on a rampage, instead.

"Our aim is to relocate and release them back into the wild after making sure that they are alright."

He said tiger attacks on livestock were extremely rare in the state.

The department suspects that the tigress had been shot and injured by a poacher.

"Unable to hunt in the jungle, the animal has no choice but to venture into farms.

"This is because it is easier to kill livestock compared to its usual prey such as wild boars and monkeys that could easily outrun an injured tiger."

He said once captured, the tigress would first be sent to the Malacca Zoo to ensure it has no health issues before being released back into the wild.

Yusoff said poachers are willing to break the law to hunt tigers as its carcass is worth between RM45,000 to RM60,000.

"Under the Wildlife Conservation Act, poachers could face a maximum fine of RM500,000 and five years' jail upon conviction,"

The tiger population in Malaysia is estimated at 500, mostly living in national parks.