Malayan Tiger Nears Extinction Amid Recent Deaths

A recent spate of alarming Malayan tiger deaths has heightened fears among wildlife authorities and conservationists, with some deeming the threat to Malaysia’s national animal a “national emergency.”

Native to the jungles of peninsular Malaysia, the critically endangered Malayan tiger faces dire threats from habitat loss, illegal poaching, and prey depletion, leaving fewer than 150 in the wild. Their numbers have drastically fallen from around 3,000 in the 1950s.

The crisis deepened in late June when images of a dead Malayan tiger, found bloated and floating in a Kelantan stream, went viral. Discovered by forest rangers, the carcass showed no signs of injuries from snares or gunshots. State forestry officials are conducting a post-mortem examination.

The photos sparked strong reactions nationwide, underscoring the urgent need to save this national symbol from extinction. Henry Chan, conservation director at WWF Malaysia, stressed the gravity of the situation: “The plight of Malayan tigers is a national crisis that requires the full attention and commitment of all Malaysians.”

Chan called for stronger conservation efforts, including enhanced patrols in critical habitats and the use of advanced technology such as camera traps and drones for monitoring.

“Losing just one tiger brings the entire species closer to extinction,” Chan emphasized.

Mark Rayan Darmaraj, country director of Wildlife Conservation Society Malaysia, highlighted that fewer than 150 Malayan tigers remain. He pointed out ongoing threats, including habitat loss, prey depletion, human-tiger conflicts, and road construction through habitats, which increases the risk of fatal vehicle collisions. Recently, a tiger was found dead in a Perak storm drain after being hit by a car. Another tiger met a similar fate in Pahang state a month earlier, marking the fourth Malayan tiger killed by a vehicle between November 2023 and May 2024.

Recognized as a subspecies in 2004, Malayan tigers are powerful apex predators and excellent swimmers, growing up to 2.5 meters long and weighing up to 130 kilograms. They require large forest areas to roam and have slightly darker, reddish-orange coats compared to other tigers.

In 2020, Malaysian officials launched an eight-year National Tiger Conservation Action Plan in collaboration with non-profit groups. The plan outlines priorities such as conservation tools and a National Physical Plan to support conservation efforts.

“With concerted actions, political commitment, and public support, we can ensure that one of the most majestic animals on the planet will not vanish,” the report stated.

Re-reported from the article originally published in CNN.