Shooting wildlife to death is the last option for Perhilitan

KOTA TINGGI: Killing wildlife is the last option for the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) if the animals start attacking, says its director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim.

He said shoot-to-kill was the last resort after taking into account various aspects, including security and threats on life.

“The best step is to set traps; shoot-to-kill is the last measure, which is permissible under the Wildlife Conservation Act.

“When it concerns tigers or elephants, we engage with locals on how to manage and offer them advice,” he said at a Khazanah Integrated Operation (OBK) press conference here yesterday.

Asked about the use of live ammunition and tranquillisers on wildlife, he said the public should know that sedatives could also threaten the animal’s life, depending on its location.

“Upon shooting, the animal does not react instantly. It will be startled at first and run away; maybe after 10 minutes, it will feel the effect before going under.

“If it falls into the river, it (risks) drowning. As for a tiger, if it runs for 10 minutes it will be difficult to track down and it may fall on the hillside and break its neck. Indeed, anything can happen,” said Abdul Kadir.

On Jan 7, the Kelantan Wildlife Department shot dead a tiger that had mauled an Orang Asli man in Kampung Sau, Pos Bihai. The tiger had to be killed when it attempted to attack Perhilitan staff during the attempt to capture it.

Abdul Kadir said that from September 2019 until last month, a total of 2,038 traps were destroyed through the Biodiversity Protection and Patrolling Programme, which was carried out to enhance wildlife conservation efforts and the socio-economic development of various communities.

As for OBK, since the beginning of this year, two operations have been carried out and 11 investigation papers have been opened on various criminal offences, with a seizure value of RM54,000 apart from the arrest of 19 individuals.

OBK is a multi-agency effort to clamp down on illegal wildlife trading and poaching.