Meerkat on leash at KL shopping centre sparks animal cruelty row
In the video, originally posted by TikTok user @aiza, the meerkat — an animal native to the African continent — is seen pacing in circles on a leash, appearing restless and exposed.
A donation box labelled 'donation for the animals' was placed nearby, while the meerkat remained tethered in full view of the public.
The user said she confronted the man collecting donations but was stunned by his casual response.
'I went to the guy collecting money and asked if the meerkat had been like this all day. He said, 'Yes, any problem??' Are you serious??'
Hundreds of commenters voiced concern for the animal's welfare.
User @tehyobgie remarked, 'Donation for animals but abuse animals? The heck!'
Meanwhile, @Azrael added, 'This is truly heartbreaking. It wasn't born to live like this. It just wants to be free.'
The outrage soon spread to Reddit, where user @Affectionate-Bug5452 clarified:
'Meerkats are under the 'exotic wildlife' category in the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. You need a special permit from PERHILITAN to keep one — otherwise it's illegal.'
Another commenter, @DangIt_MoonMoon, wrote, 'Malaysians are still not educated when it comes to being kind to animals. What the user posted is really some rubbish third world country nonsense.'
While some debated whether meerkats are endangered, most agreed that using exotic animals to solicit donations is deeply unethical.
@Appropriate-Rub3534 said, 'I would make a scene and call the manager to remove that. Whether endangered or not, torturing animals is not acceptable.'
@kurangak added, 'Meerkats are very social animals. Poor thing had to live alone.'
Calls for immediate reporting to PERHILITAN, Malaysia's wildlife department, have flooded both TikTok and Reddit.
But @Affectionate-Bug5452 cautioned, 'Sometimes they only take action when it's actively happening.'
As the video continues to circulate, animal lovers and welfare advocates are urging authorities to intervene before more animals are subjected to similar treatment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Perhilitan relocates five wild elephants in Gua Musang
GUA MUSANG: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) successfully captured five wild elephants in Kampung Lalang, Kuala Betis here last week and has begun relocating them back to their natural habitats. Kuala Betis Wild Elephant Translocation operation chief Mohamad Zainuddin Busrah said the elephants, named Mek Mas, Mek Leha, Mek Ja, Mek Ti and Anak Ouk, range from one to 25 years old. 'One female elephant was captured on July 27, followed by four others on July 31,' he told reporters at Kampung Lalang today. The operation involved 26 personnel from Perhilitan Kelantan and Terengganu, alongside the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre in Pahang. Four of the elephants have already been relocated, with the fifth scheduled for transfer tomorrow. 'The relocation began at 3 pm yesterday, starting with a mother and her calf. Two more were moved today and the last one will be relocated tomorrow,' he said. The translocation was assisted by two trained elephants, Rambai and Cheri, from the Kuala Gandah centre. - Bernama
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Perhilitan captures, relocates five wild elephants in Gua Musang
GUA MUSANG: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) successfully captured five wild elephants in Kampung Lalang, Kuala Betis here last week and has begun relocating them back to their natural habitats. Kuala Betis Wild Elephant Translocation operation chief Mohamad Zainuddin Busrah said the elephants, named Mek Mas, Mek Leha, Mek Ja, Mek Ti and Anak Ouk, were aged one to 25 years old. "One female elephant was captured on July 27, followed by four others on July 31," he told reporters at Kampung Lalang on Saturday (Aug 2). The operation involved 26 personnel from Perhilitan Kelantan and Terengganu, alongside the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre in Pahang. Four of the elephants have already been relocated, with the fifth scheduled for transfer on Sunday (Aug 3). "The relocation began at 3pm yesterday, starting with a mother and her calf. Two more were moved today and the last one will be relocated tomorrow," he said. The translocation was assisted by two trained elephants, Rambai and Cheri, from the Kuala Gandah centre. – Bernama
Sinar Daily
10 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
The last 150, a race to save the Malayan Tiger
Without urgent and large-scale conservation efforts, experts fear the iconic predator could vanish within the next 10 to 20 years. Malayan tiger at risk of extinction within 20 years without urgent conservation efforts. WITH the Malayan tiger population now estimated at fewer than 150 in the wild, concerns are mounting over the species' survival. Without urgent and large-scale conservation efforts, experts fear the iconic predator could vanish within the next 10 to 20 years. Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim admitted that limited manpower and funding remain key obstacles in protecting Panthera Tigris Jacksoni and its rapidly shrinking habitat. Even so, he believes the situation is not beyond saving. With swift enforcement, enhanced resources, advanced technology and strong public engagement, the Malayan tiger might still stand a fighting chance. 'Our forest areas are vast and require constant patrols, conflict management and monitoring, but our teams are overstretched. 'Even though drones and camera traps have helped, the cost of maintenance and training continues to be a long-term challenge,' he said. Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim - Photo by ASRIL ASWANDI SHUKOR He also noted that enforcement needs to be stronger, with harsher penalties and quicker legal action against poachers and illegal wildlife traders. Abdul Kadir stressed that financial backing from the government, research bodies, NGOs, and stronger collaboration across agencies, alongside local community involvement is making a positive difference. 'Protecting the Malayan tiger isn't something Perhililitan can do alone. It's a shared national responsibility,' he added. One of the major global efforts he referenced was the TX2 campaign launched by WWF and conservation partners. The goal was to double the wild tiger population worldwide by 2022 compared to 2010 figures. Malaysia had hoped to boost its numbers to at least 1,000. 'But the reality is sobering, we now have fewer than 150 left,' he said. Hope in the wild Asked whether any new tiger populations have been discovered, Abdul Kadir confirmed there have been positive signs in areas under long-term surveillance. Thanks to camera trap footage and consistent monitoring by Perhililitan and partners, sightings have been recorded in several forest regions. 'Key locations showing these signs include Royal Belum State Park, the Titiwangsa Range, Taman Negara and Endau-Rompin. 'This offers a real sense of hope, a sign that the wild still holds space for the Malayan tiger, if we act in time,' he said.
