CITY HALL IN TIGER PROJECT
It partners with Malaysian Zoological Society to protect the endangered species
ZOO Negara, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Malaysian Zoological Society have initiated a tiger conservation and restoration programme.
KL Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan said City Hall would donate RM360,000 for the programme to protect and maintain the endangered tiger species population in Malaysia.
He said the donation for the three-year programme would cover food, maintenance and medical fees of the adult tigers, as well as three cubs — Wira, Hebat and Melur.
“The programme would be carried out for three years, beginning today (Saturday), and we are hoping to continue such programmes in the future to protect the endangered species.
“Currently, there are only 150 Malayan tigers left in the jungles of Peninsular Malaysia.
“This species is vulnerable to poaching, so a proactive solution should be carried out in order to restore the population of tigers.
“For instance, India and Nepal had successfully increased their respective tiger population. In 2009, the tiger population in Nepal stood at 120, but now the number has increased to 235.
“The number of their Siberian tigers had also risen from 20 to 500. It shows that with the collaboration and efforts of various parties, as well as the government, the country could help conserve such endangered animal populations,” he said.
Nor Hisham said this at the “Selamatkan Si Belang” endangered species restoration initiative programme at Zoo Negara here yesterday.
He said City Hall hoped to see a more balanced and sustainable development and environment in the future.
He said it was City Hall’s responsibility to preserve the ecosystem and thus, the proposed Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2040 would incorporate a more sustainable and environment-friendly development.
“We want to provide a life of quality to the people in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, we need to have more similar programmes, with assistance by all, in order to conserve and preserve the environment in the midst of ongoing development projects in the city.”
Zoo Negara zoology and veterinary director Dr Mat Naim Ramli said the cost to feed an adult Malayan tiger came to about RM120,000 annually.
“The cubs are still breastfeeding and share some solid foods with their mother.
“All three cubs are in good health, with each cub weighing an average of 12kg, while the tigress weighs about 100kg.”
Melur, Wira and Hebat were born on May 1 this year. The cubs were named by Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, who is the patron of the Save Our Malayan Tigers campaign.