Perhilitan starts tiger breeding programme to increase population

MELAKA: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) will implement the Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) breeding programme this year to increase the population of the endangered species.

Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the move was taken to protect the animal which is a symbol of the country's pride as the number currently recorded has dwindled to less than 200 tigers left in the wild.

"Various studies and research have been carried out for this programme and then it will be conducted at the National Tiger Conservation Centre (NTCC) in collaboration with state governments, related agencies and several zoos in the country including the Melaka Zoo.

"If no drastic measures are taken, the Malayan Tigers will be threatened with extinction in the next five to 10 years," he told reporters in Ayer Keroh here yesterday.

Earlier, he represented Perhilitan in signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Melaka Zoo represented by the president of the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) Datuk Shadan Othman.

Abdul Kadir said apart from the 'rewilding' programme, tiger cubs would also be trained to be independent for two or three years before they are released back to their original habitat.

Meanwhile, he said the MoU covered cooperation for the development and organisation of conservation programmes for wildlife, research, education and public awareness and the like.

"It includes special breeding programmes for local species such as the Malayan Tiger as well as the addition of new wildlife species for new attractions and educational programmes for zoo visitors.

"Among the animals that will be placed in the Melaka Zoo are desert goats, binturong (bearcat) and wildebeest, this cooperation is also to boost the existing breeding activities in the Melaka Zoo and wildlife stocks that have no mates," he said.

-- BERNAMA