Roaming tiger captured by Perhilitan in Dungun

DUNGUN: The state Wildlife and National Park Department (Perhilitan) has captured a male tiger that was roaming around Kampung Besul Lama, Bukit Besi here.

Its director Dr Abdul Malek Mohd Yusof said the tiger is estimated to weigh about 130kg, adding that it was caught at about 3.30pm on Friday (July 19) after being shot with a tranquilliser dart.

He added that the tiger is about five years old and said that it was caught when it was resting in bushes some 500m from the main road of Kampung Besul Lama.

"We needed eight men to carry the tiger into the lorry. It will be sent to the Perhilitan National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Sungkai, Perak for treatment," he said when met by reporters at Kampung Besul Lama after the operation was conducted.

Abdul Malek said while a male tiger has been caught, the operation will go on as villagers claim that there is another tiger around the area.

Meanwhile, Kampung Besul Lama Community Management council chairman Nasharudin Mohd Salleh said the villagers are relieved and can sleep soundly with the tiger's capture.

He represented the villagers and thanked the police and Perhilitan for working around-the-clock to ensure the safety of villagers and to capture the tiger.

"Based on information from Perhilitan, the operation will continue for the next three days to find the other tiger.

"However, this information is based on the claim made by villagers, as the operation found evidence of only one tiger," he added.