M’sians need to speak up before Malayan tiger becomes extinct – World Wide Fund

MELAKA: In view of the declining population of the Malayan tiger, Malaysians need to speak up and have a voice so they can work together to ensure the species is free from the threat of extinction.

World Wide Fund for NatureMalaysia ( WWF-Malaysia) executive director Datuk Dr Dionysius SK Sharma said there are about 3,000 Malayan Tigers in 1950, while around 500 tigers were recorded in 1990 and the latest estimation is about 250 to 340 tigers in Peninsular Malaysia.

He said Malaysians needed to protect the animal since it is an omnipresent national icon and the country’s symbol of bravery, charm and regality.

“We must make a call to save the tiger from extinction because it will happen if you just sit and do nothing. So Malaysians, not only the government or non-governmental organisations ( NGO), but all of us need to play our role to save the tiger from extinction,” he told reporters here yesterday at the opening of the sixth International Eco- Schools Conference 2017.

The conference themed ‘Waste Management and its Impact on Nature and Biodiversity’ is participated by 71 students and 27 teachers from 27 schools across Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, aimed at creating a platform for students to exercise leadership skills and boost their confidence through interactions.

The Malayan tiger, a totally protected species, is listed as endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN) Red List. — Bernama