Latest news with #MalayanTiger
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Save the Malayan Tiger' campaign gains momentum with RM2.1m in donations, says acting natural resources minister
SHAH ALAM, July 26 — Contributions to the 'Save the Malayan Tiger' campaign have reached RM2.1 million since its launch in 2021, says acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. He said the donations were made possible through cooperation with various strategic partners, including the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), to raise funds and awareness on the importance of Malayan tiger conservation. 'So far, FAM has contributed about RM200,000 to the Save the Malayan Tiger Campaign Fund through proceeds from football match ticket sales. Once again, I would like to thank FAM,' he said here today. Also present were Peninsular Malaysia Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim and FAM president Datuk Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub. Johari, who is also the Minister of Plantation and Commodities, said this in a speech delivered by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii when officiating the national-level Global Tiger Day celebration, held annually on July 29. Meanwhile, Johari said the Cabinet had, on June 16, 2021, agreed to implement extraordinary strategic actions for Malayan tiger conservation over a 10-year period from 2021 to 2030. He said these actions encompassed three approaches: intensifying efforts to halt population decline, improving governance and implementation effectiveness in conservation, and strengthening initiatives to ensure the long-term survival of the Malayan tiger. 'Monitoring conducted by Perhilitan with support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has shown a rise in the Malayan tiger population. 'This is a positive indicator of the success of ongoing efforts, including habitat conservation through international accreditation and recognition schemes,' he said. In addition, Johari said Malaysia was currently working to secure 'Conservation Assured Tiger Standards' accreditation for Taman Negara in Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, as well as Endau Rompin National Park. He added that Perhilitan was also pursuing Asean Heritage Park (AHP) recognition for the Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve. — Bernama
Daily Express
15-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Captive breeding a success but not all can be released
Published on: Sunday, June 15, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 15, 2025 Text Size: Malayan Tiger (left pic) and Milky Stork. CAPTIVE breeding programmes aim to increase population numbers of threatened species under controlled conditions. In Malaysia, government-backed efforts through Perhilitan (Department of Wildlife and National Parks) and partnerships with zoos such as Zoo Negara Malaysia have focused on species like the Malayan tiger and milky stork. These controlled environments allow for the careful monitoring of health, genetic diversity and breeding success while also serving as valuable spaces for research and public education. Advertisement Through coordinated national efforts, particularly by Zoo Negara and Perhilitan, captive breeding has resulted in measurable successes with several endangered species, notably the Malayan tiger, milky stork and false gharial, which have all seen population boosts within zoo facilities. The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) not only stands as a powerful national symbol but also as a grim reminder of how quickly a species can vanish. Fewer than 150 individuals are believed to remain in the wild, threatened by habitat fragmentation, poaching and a declining prey base. As such, Zoo Negara has made the Malayan tiger one of its conservation priorities. Over the years, it has successfully bred several tiger cubs under controlled conditions, ensuring careful attention to genetics, health and behavioural development. These births do more than grow numbers; they represent hope for future reintroduction programmes for a critically endangered population. The milky stork (Mycteria cinerea), which used to thrive in Malaysia's mangroves and wetlands, has also suffered due to rapid coastal development and habitat degradation. Now endangered, the species requires both habitat protection and population support. Zoo Negara has been a leader in the milky stork captive breeding programme, having bred over 100 individuals to date. These birds are raised in carefully designed aviaries that replicate their natural nesting and foraging conditions. A portion of the captive-bred storks has already been reintroduced into managed wetlands such as in Kuala Gula in Perak. This programme demonstrates how avian conservation can succeed when breeding is paired with ecosystem restoration. The false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii), a long-snouted crocodilian native to Malaysia's peat swamp forests, plays a vital role in freshwater ecosystems. It is also classified as vulnerable due to wetland destruction and human-wildlife conflict. Zoo Negara has taken on the unique challenge of breeding the false gharial, a species rarely reproduced in captivity due to its elusive nature and specific environmental needs. Successful hatchings have occurred at the zoo. Each new hatchling represents a step forward in understanding and protecting this ancient species, and highlights the importance of conserving Malaysia's freshwater ecosystems as a whole. Zoo Negara's breeding programmes are coordinated with national and regional conservation strategies to ensure that any captive-born animals have a potential role in future reintroduction plans. However, not all animals bred in captivity can or should be released. Issues such as behavioural deficiency, genetic bottlenecks and exposure to human environments can hinder reintroduction success. Some individuals serve better as educational ambassadors to help the public understand the fragility of Malaysia's ecosystems, inspiring support for conservation. When paired with effective legislation, public education and scientific collaboration, captive breeding can yield real conservation results. Malaysia has demonstrated that it can be a regional leader in this field. With continued support, integrated planning and political will, the country can ensure that future generations will not only see these animals in zoos but also hear them roar, fly, or swim in the wild where they really belong. Dr Amalina Salleh Education Department Zoo Negara Malaysia The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- The Guardian
Jungle trekking, rainforests and the world's largest orangutan sanctuary: why Malaysia is unmatched for outdoor adventure
Malaysia has one of the greatest levels of biodiversity of any country on Earth – and it's among just 17 to be listed as a megadiverse country. More than 50% of its land surface area is forested, and around 14% of the country is protected as a national park or nature reserve. All of which makes Malaysia a spectacular destination for wildlife watching. Around 750 species of bird have been recorded, including no fewer than 10 species of hornbill – among these the iconic rhinoceros hornbill – along with brightly coloured trogons and pittas, white-bellied sea eagles and the great slaty woodpecker, one of the largest woodpecker species in the world. Malaysia's lush tropical rainforests are home to orangutans, gibbons, proboscis monkeys, tapirs and Borneo pygmy elephants – along with more than 300 other species of mammal and a staggering number of amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. They're also the last refuge of the majestic but critically endangered Malayan tiger, which appears on Malaysia's coat of arms. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, just half an hour outside Sandakan, is the world's largest orangutan sanctuary, caring for injured orangutans and pairing orphaned young with older individuals. This is a wonderful place to see these highly intelligent, beautiful, but now critically endangered primates in a semi-wild environment, before they are reintroduced into their natural environment. However, nothing matches seeing these and other species in the wild, and signing up for a wildlife tour is really the way to go here. Join a trekking tour in the incredible Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary for one of the best chances of seeing orangutans in the wild. The enormous rainforests of Royal Belum state park are the best place in Malaysia to see hornbills – although not far behind is the manmade lake of Tasik Kenyir. Head to Fraser's Hill or the Cameron Highlands to see mountain peacock-pheasant. If you're up for a spot of hiking, the scope for jungle-trekking in Malaysia's spectacularly wild and unspoilt national parks is simply off the charts. Take Taman Negara national park, for example – a vast, sprawling area of rainforest, forming Malaysia's largest national park. The lush rainforest of Taman Negara is positively ancient – it's estimated to be at least 130 million years old – and in terms of hiking, the park offers everything from breathtaking canopy walkways to a four-day trek across the spine of Mount Tahan, the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia. Join a full day's guided walk or, for a more immersive experience, take a guided two-day hike on the Keniam Trail, which includes an overnight stay in a cave. Another fantastic area for hiking is Unesco-listed Kinabalu Park, where you can trek to Mount Kinabalu – standing at 4,000 metres above sea level, it's a sight to behold. It's a minimum two-day hike with one overnight stay at a mountain hut (you'll need to apply for a permit and go with an accredited guide) – and the view is at its most sublimely impressive at sunrise. In Gunung Mulu national park, trek to the pointy rock spires known as the Pinnacles – or for something a little more sedate, hike through tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands, or visit Penang Hill near George Town. So much for land-based adventures. With nearly 900 islands and more than 350,000 hectares of coral reefs surrounded by crystal-clear waters, Malaysia offers seemingly limitless possibilities for diving and snorkelling. For experienced divers, nothing tops Sipadan – Malaysia's only oceanic island, located off the east coast of Sabah, and one of the world's premier dive sites. A steep-sided, extinct volcanic cone rising 600 metres from the ocean floor, Sipadan's wall reefs are home to a stupendous amount of marine life including more than 3,000 species of fish. Dive among hawksbill and green turtles, see whale sharks, manta rays, hammerheads and giant parrotfish, and witness huge, vortex-like shoals of barracuda swimming in their thousands. The Perhentian Islands are another popular diving and snorkelling spot, great for beginners as well as more experienced divers. Like other islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, such as Redang, the Perhentian Islands offer shallow dive sites with good visibility, vibrant coral reefs and plenty of marine life. Or try Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs national park off the coast of Sarawak – great for coral as its name implies, but there are also wreck dives here too. Despite the sheer scale of these landscapes – Taman Negara national park alone is nearly six times the size of nearby Singapore – access is straightforward. You can reach Taman Negara in three hours by car from Kuala Lumpur, and Unesco-listed George Town in less than a five-hour drive, while Kota Kinabalu, the gateway to climbing Mount Kinabalu, is two and a half hours away by plane. With British Airways operating direct flights daily from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur, there has never been a better time to experience the multitude of breathtaking landscapes, amazing wildlife and vibrant culture that Malaysia has to offer. For more information and to start planning your Malaysian adventure, visit
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Tech-savvy approach to collecting
COLLECTORS and enthusiasts were treated to an interesting showcase at the 8th Penang International Malayan Banknote and Stamps Fair, where a wide range of items – from vintage stamps to rare debenture certificates – were on display. The event in George Town was touted as the largest in Penang. Organised by Malayan Banknote Fair (MBF), the three-day fair featured 34 exhibitors from around the world including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Vietnam and the United Kingdom, as well as various states in Malaysia. Richard showing the white paper sheet once used by the British to print currency for the Reserve Bank of India during the early 1900s. MBF founder Richard Lim said one of the highlights was a piece from his personal collection – a copy of the front page of the Daily Mail continental edition dated Sept 28, 1944, featuring a striking image of an Allied soldier during World War II. 'I bought this newspaper several years ago from a shop at Chowrasta Market for RM10 each, and picked up several copies at the time. 'I later sold some to a collector for RM1,000 each, but I decided to keep one copy for myself and had it framed,' he said. A visitor admiring Richard's framed copy of the front page of the Daily Mail Continental edition dated Sept 28, 1944 and other vintage items on display at the fair. (April 25, 2025) — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star. Richard said another notable item on display was a white paper sheet once used by the British to print currency for the Reserve Bank of India during the early 1900s. What made it particularly unique, he explained, was that the sheet had already received its first layer of currency print and was en route to India when the ship carrying it was bombed by German forces during World War I. The 8th Penang International Malayan Banknote and Stamps Fair featured 34 local and international exhibitors. Some of the vintage stamps belonging to philatelist Beng Yeong. Among the prized pieces in his collection are the 1930 Malayan Tiger series. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star Some of the old coins on display and available for purchase at the fair held at the mall in Penang. A visitor taking a closer look at a framed copy of the front page of the Daily Mail continental edition dated Sept 28, 1944 and other vintage items. Richard said his personal collection also included a debenture certificate from Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce, a 5,000 won banknote from North Korea and a RM2 Malaysian currency note. Philatelist Lim Beng Yeong has amassed thousands of stamps over the past 40 years, dating from the British colonial era. Penang International BanknoteStamp Fair at 2nd floor event hall, 1st Avenue Mall in George Town, Penang. (April 25, 2025) — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star. Among the prized pieces in his collection are the 1930 Malayan Tiger series, 1948 British Malayan Administration issue, rare Johore Postage and Revenue stamps and Kelantan Postage and Revenue stamps dating back to the 1900s. 'I bought these stamps from other collectors; some were given to me as gifts,' said Beng Yeong, adding that the collection is kept at his house in Alor Setar, Kedah. To preserve his stamps, especially the older and vintage ones, Beng Yeong stores them in albums and protective plastic sleeves to maintain their condition and ensure their longevity. Some of the collectors' items on sale at the fair, including memorabilia of current US president Donald Trump and his wife Melania. Collecting stamps is not an expensive hobby and can be a good starting point for children, he said. 'Sometimes, a set of stamps only costs around RM5 to RM10. 'Of course, rare and vintage ones are priced higher, but they are not overly expensive,' said Beng Yeong. 'I believe that stamp collecting not only preserves history, but also offers insights into a nation's identity and heritage.' He encouraged the younger generation to take up the hobby, suggesting that schools and community centres host philately workshops or exhibitions to spark interest. Beng Yeong lamented that children nowadays were more inclined towards video games, rather than hobbies such as stamp collecting. 'Stamp collecting teaches patience, research skills and an appreciation for culture. Visitors and collectors browsing through items on display at the three-day event. 'It is more than a hobby; it is a journey through time,' he pointed out. In addition to old coins, banknotes and rare stamps, the event also featured the world's first polymer banknote from Australia. Australian exhibitor Rick Coleman said the banknote was released in 1988 to commemorate the bicentenary of the arrival of the First Fleet Down Under. 'The note is the AUD10 bill, which features an image of (18th century) explorer Captain James Cook,' he said, adding that the polymer banknote is now valued at around AUD50 (RM140). A passionate collector for over 40 years, Coleman is a familiar face at international banknote fairs in Malaysia and around the world. He also has a collector shop in his hometown of Bundaberg, Queensland. Some of the old coins that were on display and on sale at Penang International BanknoteStamp Fair at 2nd floor event hall, 1st Avenue Mall in George Town, Penang. (April 25, 2025) — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star. At the fair, collectors were introduced to the mobile technology behind a trusted coin and banknote authentication system – an app developed by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). PCGS business development assistant manager Vincent Lee said the app marked a step forward in helping Malaysian collectors verify and manage their prized collections with ease and confidence. 'It is important for collectors to have their coins and banknotes graded and verified,' he said. 'With this app, people no longer need to second-guess the authenticity or market value of their collectibles,' said Lee. Coleman holding the world's first polymer banknote from Australia. He was one of the international exhibitors at the three-day event. The PCGS Cert Verification app allows users to scan a barcode or QR code on a PCGS label, or manually enter the seven- or eight-digit certification number, to instantly access critical information. These include the item's denomination, date, mint mark, grade, mintage, holder type, PCGS population statistics and price guide value. For an extra layer of security, the app also features C Gold Shield technology that allows collectors to securely verify the coin's details and makes it almost impossible to forge. 'Collectors spend years, sometimes decades, building their collections. 'Tools like the PCGS app help preserve that investment while enhancing its transparency, especially for buyers, sellers and even historians,' said Lee. The event also featured a talk titled 'Scammers and Cyber Crime' by DSP Pang Meng Tuck, deputy head of the Penang police's Commercial Crime Investigation Department (Intelligence/ Operations).
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Saving lives on the Gerik-Jeli Highway by putting wildlife first — Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran
MAY 13 — On the early morning of May 11, 2025, Malaysians awoke to heartbreaking footage of an elephant calf lying motionless on the Gerik-Jeli Highway while its grieving mother attempted to rouse it. The calf, fatally struck by a poultry lorry at KM80 of the highway, was the latest in a disturbing trend of wildlife-vehicle collisions plaguing the Belum-Temengor landscape. This must be the wake-up call that finally drives urgent and lasting change. The statistics over the past five years speak for themselves. Between 2016 and 2021, over 2,500 animals were killed by vehicles on Malaysian roads, including at least 102 Malayan tapirs and six Malayan tigers in the last two years alone. The East-West Highway, which cuts through the heart of Belum-Temengor, has become a hotspot for these tragedies. In recent months, tiger and elephant fatalities have risen sharply, with multiple incidents along the same highway where this elephant calf perished. This is not just a loss of life, but a failure in policy. The Belum-Temengor forest complex is one of Southeast Asia's most critical biodiversity strongholds. It harbours the last remaining populations of endangered megafauna such as the Malayan tiger, Asian elephant, sun bear, and Malayan tapir, and is home to more than 3,000 species of plants. This large, forested landscape also forms a vital transboundary corridor with Thailand, enabling genetic exchange for wide-ranging species. While authorities have responded by installing signage and solar-powered lighting at some known elephant crossings, such interventions are insufficient. Fog, poor road lighting, and the nocturnal nature of many animals make visibility low. Worse, artificial lighting risks disturbing wildlife behaviour. Suggestions like building overpasses or underpasses may work in theory but are financially and topographically impractical in this mountainous terrain. The truth is simple: engineering alone cannot solve this crisis. The Belum-Temengor forest complex harbours the last remaining populations of endangered megafauna such as the Malayan tiger, Asian elephant, sun bear, and Malayan tapir — Picture from Unsplash/Jeffrey Hamilton We must change our behaviour. We propose an immediate night-time ban on heavy vehicles using the Gerik-Jeli Highway. Most collisions, including the latest fatal elephant incident, occur between midnight and 5am, when wildlife activity is high. Restricting truck movements during these hours would eliminate the deadliest risks. India's Bandipur Tiger Reserve implemented such a ban and saw an 80 per cent drop in wildlife deaths. Malaysia can follow suit. Further, road usage must be optimised. Poultry and construction transport can be rerouted via alternate logistics, especially with the East Coast Rail Link nearing completion. It is also high time that east coast states expanded their own poultry industry to meet local demands and reduce reliance on west coast supply. In the meantime, traffic scheduling, designated lay-bys, and convoy driving protocols could be introduced to reduce risk. For buses and public transport, speed limiters and trip quotas should be enforced to ensure safety. Enforcement can be supported by gantry-based vehicle monitoring and automatic speed detection. Technology can help. Drones equipped with thermal cameras can detect wildlife near roadways, triggering warning signs. Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and AI tools can enable real-time monitoring of animal movement and poaching threats. These tools are affordable, effective, and faster to deploy than physical infrastructure. Funding these efforts is feasible through Malaysia's Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) mechanism, which rewards states for conservation action. With a RM250 million allocation in the 2025 federal budget, this is a powerful tool to channel support into regions like Belum-Temengor. Funds should be directed to law enforcement, night patrolling, smart monitoring systems, and public awareness campaigns. We are at a tipping point. The Gerik-Jeli Highway must be reimagined not just as a road for human commerce, but as a shared corridor with wildlife. If we act boldly now — with science, policy, and compassion — we can prevent more lives from being lost, both human and animal. Let us not allow another elephant calf to die in vain. * Dr Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran is a senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and is the project lead for 'Securing the resiliency and sustainability of Royal Belum Forest against theimpact of climate change' ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
