JOHOR BARU: A dead Malayan tiger can fetch up to RM500,000 on the black market, a grim reality that places the majestic cat in constant danger from poachers.
“The price of a Malayan tiger is between RM250,000 and RM500,000. And if the carcass is sold in parts separately, the value can go even higher,” said Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim.
He said last week’s discovery of a dead tiger kept in the back of a car in Mersing, Johor, showed the extent of the threat against the critically endangered species and the lucrative underground trade driving such poaching activities.
The tiger had severe injuries, possibly from a trap, and six gunshot wounds to the head.
Abdul Kadir told The Star that the carcass was that of a young female aged below 10 years old.
“From our investigations, we believe the tiger had been dead for one or two days before it was discovered.
“There was no odour from the carcass hidden in the car boot, which suggests it was still relatively fresh,” he said.
On Sept 16, three men who were in the car were arrested after the carcass was found in their vehicle during a raid at Felda Tenggaroh here.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 49, were detained by authorities after failing to produce a special permit required to possess or keep the animal.
“We believe the carcass was destined for the black market. Our investigation is focusing on how the suspects obtained the animal and where it was found,” he said.
Asked whether the men were part of a larger wildlife trafficking syndicate, Abdul Kadir declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
The dead tiger was discovered in the car following a public tip-off.
Items seized during the search included the carcass, the vehicle and four mobile phones.
The joint operation, codenamed Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah, was carried out by Bukit Aman Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) intelligence officers together with Johor Perhilitan.
All the suspects and seized items were taken to the Mersing district police headquarters for documentation and further action under the Wildlife Conservation Act.
The case is being investigated under Section 70 of the Act for hunting or keeping totally protected wildlife without a special permit.
Abdul Kadir described the incident as a major poaching case, adding that the Malayan tiger is a critically endangered species which is protected under Malaysian law.
