KUALA LUMPUR: The Malayan tiger is expected to go extinct within the next decade if nothing is done to save it, said Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
"The Malayan Tiger is under threat of extinction as data revealed that the population of the species is at a very worrying level. According to the first National Tiger Survey 2016-2020, there are less than 200 tigers left in the wild,” he said
"Based on those figures, we will lose them within the next five to ten years if no extraordinary action is taken to save them," the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department added when replying a question raised by by Che Alias Hamid (PN-Kemaman) during the Ministerial Question Time in Parliament on Thursday (Nov 11).
As such, Wan Junaidi informed the House that the Cabinet had approved a nine-point strategic conservation plan which was to be implemented between 2021 and 2030.
Among them, he said, was the setting up of the National Tiger Conservation Task Force.
"This includes the setting up the Malayan Tiger Conservation Unit under the Wildlife and National Parks Department and a wildlife crime bureau under the police," he said.
Wan Junaidi attributed loss of natural habitat due to deforestation among the main reasons for the dwindling tiger population.
He also noted that over-hunting of the sambar deer was also a reason for the decline as the deer was the main food source for tigers.
Wan Junaidi said that connecting fragmented sections of the nation's Central Forest Spine was also among the actions that could be taken to enlarge the habitat area for tigers.
He added that the moratorium against hunting of the sambar deer, which ended this November, should be continued.
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