200-year-old tree vandalised by poachers
BUKIT MERTAJAM: A rainforest tree said to be 200 years old has been vandalised with dozens of nails partially hammered into its trunk.
It is believed that some poachers could have used the nails to climb up the 30m Tualang tree to collect honey from a beehive perched on top of it.
(According to one website, Tualang means “tree of swarming bees” as it acts as a host for bees.)
The tree is located inside a durian orchard in Bukit Seraya near the Cherok To’kun Forest Reserve.
Orchard owner Khor Huck Jin found out about the vandalism when some hikers told him about it.
He lodged a police report on Monday.
He said the nails were driven into the tree in such a way that they were lined up all the way to the top of the Tualang tree.
The nails were properly spaced out, making them look like steps, said Khor, 48.
“I suspect that poachers had climbed up to harvest the honey, as there is a big beehive at the top,” he said.
Fortunately, the tree will “survive”.
Officers from state Forestry Department will be helping to remove the nails.
Khor said hikers would often come to the area to take photographs but there had been no such visitors during the movement control order period.
The hiking activities only resumed last month, he said.
He estimated that the tree was at least 200 years old, adding that he never wanted to chop it as he knew of its significance.
Bees often built their hives on Tualang trees, considered to be among the tallest trees in the region.
The honey they produced, madu tualang, is one of the best quality products around.