Sad end to innocent wildlife

AS a field biologist, I felt very sad over the death of the innocent tapir that was found in Taman Desa Saujana, Batu 14, Hulu Langat. According to news reports that have gone viral on social media, parts of its carcass such as ears, front leg, trunk and skin were mutilated.

I also felt angry because its death was due to human negligence.

There were a few parties involved in the incident that ultimately led to the death of the tapir – the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department, Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), and the public. All acted in what I can describe as a drama of errors that could only end tragically.

Looking at the photos in Facebook, the tapir was in good shape but at some point in time, it fell into a drain. Tapirs are strong and fast. I know this as I have seen them running uphill much faster than I can.

It is likely the tapir fell into the drain because it was disoriented or was being chased by some people, presumably residents of Taman Desa Saujana who are the first actors in its tragic death. Instead of informing Perhilitan, they called the Civil Defence Force and Fire and Rescue Department.

The Civil Defence Department maintained its workers did not use the wrong method and that the tapir might have already suffocated as it was tied up when they arrived on the scene.

The tapir may have indeed been strangled in the effort by well-meaning members of the pub- lic to lift it out of the drain but it was definitely not tied up, as can be seen in the pictures on Facebook. A video also shows some individuals wrestling with the helpless animal.

Both departments claimed that Perhilitan did not answer their call, hence their action. While I appreciate their efforts, I also feel these two departments crossed their line of responsibility in handling cases involving wildlife.

As for Perhilitan, why did it take so long for them to come to the scene? In light of the incident, Perhilitan reminded the public of the penalties awaiting those who break the law on wildlife protection.

I wonder if anyone would believe this when Perhilitan, the department entrusted with the care and protection of wildlife, only arrived at the scene after the tapir’s snout and skin had been extracted? Based on this incident, these government agencies, the other actors in the drama, showed a lack of credibility in and knowledge of their jobs.

After its brutal death, the tapir was left where it was. Sometime between 1am and 10am, the third actors came into the scene to extract the snout and skin of the dead tapir. In the cases I have come across in Kelantan, villagers and poachers normally extract these parts of the tapir. It was no different for the folk in Ulu Langat. Such is the tragic story of the tapir and the actors that contributed to its death.

Capturing wildlife and transporting it to another location is an exhaustive exercise dur- ing which the animal will endure multiple injuries. Nevertheless, if there is sufficient workforce, knowledge and proper equipment, the process can be done with minimum stress to the animal.

Tapirs are generally very nice creatures and rarely cause any risk or problem when they encounter humans, unlike the Malayan tiger, Asian elephant or python. Most researchers including myself never had camera traps damaged by tapirs. Other jungle creatures are quite curious about our camera traps and often damage or remove them.

My personal encounter with a wild tapir only lasted a few seconds. It fled immediately after sensing my presence, indicating the shy nature of these “Malaysian pandas”.

What could have caused the tapir to enter Taman Desa Saujana? Could deforestation be a reason? Should the Forestry Department take responsibility for the deforestation that made the tapir enter human settlements?

Was the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) the problem? If so, should the Selangor state government be responsible for the death of the tapir since the construction of the EKVE went ahead despite protests and warnings by numerous groups of nature enthusiasts and conservation NGOs in the country? Will Malaysians learn any lesson from this tapir’s death?

GROWN-UP ANGRY KID Shah Alam