Dynamic steps to save the tiger
ONLY proactive, creative and innovative steps will ensure that the Malayan tiger continues to roam our forests.
As an ardent supporter of wildlife and conservation, I have some suggestions.
Government departments and NGOs involved in tiger protection and conservation efforts need young blood to initiate new ideas and programmes to save the tiger. This also calls for more commitment and dedication on those involved.
The job of protecting the tiger cannot be the normal 9-to-5 arrangement. Wildlife Department officers need to go beyond the call of duty, and they need to equate the success of increasing the number of tigers with their own career success.
Only those who really love the tiger and other wildlife should consider a career in the Wildlife Department.
The orang asli need to be an integral part of the tiger conservation efforts. Presently, many of them are indifferent and not cooperating as they appear to have some grievances with the Government over their customary rights.
The orang asli should be rewarded with economic benefits for helping in tiger conservation. This can be done by employing them in various capacities as they are well versed with the jungle. It will keep them from poaching on their own or helping other poachers as well.
All logging, trapping, hunting, searching for agar wood and other activities should be strictly prohibited in the tiger reserves.
Impose a curfew from dusk to dawn in the tiger reserves with a shoot-to-kill order against poachers. Bring in the armed forces to patrol the tiger sanctuaries when poachers are sighted.
Ban all hunting with dogs as all wild animals, big and small, including the tiger are stressed by the canines hunting in packs.
Hunting of wild boar, deer and other potential tiger prey should be totally banned even if these animals are numerous, and hunting permits should not be issued. A plentiful supply of tiger prey will translate into healthier tigers and more cubs.
Rope in more wildlife support groups, NGOs and individuals to help in the tiger conservation efforts through corporate sponsorships, donations and other contributions.
Impose strict speed limits on highways and roads running through the tiger sanctuaries and also install electric fences along highway stretches where tigers are known to frequently cross. Signboards prohibiting unauthorised people from entering the tiger reserves should be placed at various spots along the border.
Tourism is a big revenue earner for this country and a reasonable percentage of it should be set aside for the protection of wildlife which is essential for ecotourism.
The Tourism and Culture Ministry should also produce brochures on wildlife to enlighten locals and tourists. More documentaries about local wildlife should be shown in the various media to enable more Malaysians to know and be concerned over the plight of our wildlife, especially those under threat of extinction.
Closely monitor the activities of villagers living near tiger reserves as there are many who own guns and may collaborate with the poachers. Effective intelligence-gathering is needed to eliminate poaching.
The Government can engage the villagers in these efforts by offering them economic benefits, perhaps through ecotourism activities.
Tiger cubs need to be watched closely to ensure their survival. Nursing tiger mothers need to be helped if their food supply is scarce by placing animal carcasses near them. We have now come to the point where we have to save the tiger even through unnatural means!
Motion-sensitive cameras and other technological advances need to be used to monitor both tigers and cubs. More attention should be given to the cubs as they are the means to stop the decline in the tiger population. The cameras can also be used to monitor any illegal activities in the tiger reserves.
The Government could also consider giving “denizen” status (similar to human citizenship) to endangered wildlife such as the tiger. This will enable the Government to formulate new legislation against poaching and killing of wildlife and to mete out stiffer punishment. The killing of a tiger should be equated with murder, or something close to it, to ensure punishment.
Worldwide, many wild animals are ruthlessly being killed by poachers. Unless these animals are protected through the enhanced denizenship status, there is no way to stop their extinction.
For a start, arrested poachers and killers of endangered wildlife should be remanded and regarded as guilty and they need to prove their innocence, not the other way round as at present.
Help the depleted stock of tiger prey – animals such as wild boar and deer – to recover by protecting their habitat.
Malaysians need to be more committed and dedicated in helping out with sponsorships, programmes and activities to save the tiger.
Even though one may not be lucky enough to see a tiger in the wild, knowing that there is a large number of them in the jungle will be a big consolation.
Nursing tiger mothers need to be helped if their food supply is scarce. We have now come to the point where we have to save the tiger even through unnatural means!