KUALA LUMPUR: Conservation efforts to save Malayan tigers, of which there are estimated to be fewer than 150 throughout the country, will continue to be intensified, says Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

He said among the efforts that show a positive impact was the increase in the number of community rangers this year from 1,000 to 2,000 people – consisting of armed forces veterans, police, Orang Asli and local communities.

“There is good progress when there are community rangers in their habitats to combat poachers. This is our ongoing effort to restore as many wildlife corridors as possible in the central peninsular area where tigers roam,” he said, Bernama reported.

He was speaking after flagging off and participating in the 3.5km “Run for the Stripes” in conjunction with World Tiger Day 2024 at Taman Metropolitan Kepong here yesterday.

Nik Nazmi said the shrinking Malayan tiger habitat was also a challenge because it increased conflict and created problems for the country’s iconic species.

“Sometimes it involves feeding problems. The animals that should be prey for these tigers are also decreasing, such as wild boar and sambar deer ... that also caused problems. The tigers leave the forest area because there is not enough food in the forest,” he said.

On the run organised by WWF-Malaysia and Maybank, with more than 1,000 participants, Nik Nazmi said it was one of the efforts to raise awareness among the public about World Tiger Day, which will be celebrated on July 29.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/22/more-efforts-needed-to-save-malayan-tiger