Extinction of the Malayan large mammals

Saving our 3Ms: (Clockwise from far left) The Malayan tiger is currently severely threatened in the wild. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star The Malayan tapir is not considered seriously endangered yet but it is declining in numbers in the wild due in part to road kills and and displacement. — AFP A pair of endangered seladang with their calf at a conservation centre in Pahang. — Perhilitan

AFTER working with Malaysian wildlife for 40 years, I have decided to have a go at waking up Malaysians in general, and the authorities specifically, along with nongovernmental advisers, local and international alike, to the real situation here in Malaysia.

History has taught us many lessons, over and over again, repeating extinction events, but the lessons mostly fall on deaf ears. The phrase “pekak badak” (deaf as a rhinoceros) comes to mind. The Javan rhino became extinct in the 1930s, one generation before me, an era with many limitations to saving those large mammals.