Norbaiti Phaharoradzi New Straits Times 27 Feb 14;
FULLY RECOVERED: Protected species treated by Perhilitan team
MERSING: A WOUNDED tapir which was caught after straying into Kampung Gajah Mati, Mersing, last week, was released back into the wild yesterday.
The 250kg female tapir was treated by Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) staff and released back to its natural habitat at the Endau-Rompin National Park after it had fully recovered.
Villagers who spotted the animal wandering around the village, had alerted the department.
Perhilitan personnel, who trapped the tapir, found it to be in a weak state with bite marks on its body.
State Perhilitan director Hasnan Yusop said the tapir was treated for its wounds by personnel from Perhilitan's Bio-diversity Conservation Department and veterinary officers from the department's headquarters.
He said the animal, which was believed to be about 15 years old, might have been bitten by a male tapir during mating.
"The tapir was tagged and its vital datas like size, weight and morphology were recorded.
"We installed a satellite collar on the animal so we can monitor its movement."
He described the successful capture and release of the animal as a big achievement for Perhilitan.
The tapir, or tapirus indicus is fully protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
Those caught hunting or keeping them without a legal permit, face a RM100,000 fine or three year's jail term.
