Captured tiger found roaming in Dungun dies

PETALING JAYA: The Malayan tiger that was found roaming in a village in Dungun, Terengganu has died, says the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).

It said the five-year-old tiger, nicknamed "Awang Besol", died at about 5.30am on Tuesday (July 23) at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) in Sungkai, Perak.

This was despite the intensive efforts to treat and save the tiger, said Perhilitan.

It added that the tiger was infected by the Canine Temper Disorder virus, that could easily infect domesticated pets such as dogs or other wildlife, including tigers.

Perhilitan said that the tiger displayed clinical neurological signs of non-aggressiveness, walking in circles, fits and nasal discharge.

“If the disease infects a tiger, it will display behaviour of not being afraid of humans and the possibility of healing is very small,” Perhilitan said in a statement on Tuesday.

Perhilitan added that it did not rule out the possibility that the virus was spread by other wild animals around Kampung Besul Lama in Dungun, where it was found roaming.

The tiger, that was estimated to weigh about 130kg, was caught at about 3.30pm on Friday (July 19), after being shot with a tranquilliser dart.

Videos of the tiger in the village were widely circulated recently. 

Perhilitan said that to ensure the safety of the villagers there, it was monitoring the area and had placed tiger traps. 

It also urged the public to contact them at 1-800-88-5151 if it came across other tigers.