Main image via Twitter + Malay Mail
In the 1950s, there were as many as 3,000 Malayan tigers in Malaysia, however that number sadly decreased and in 2014, there were only an estimated 250-340 tigers left.
Due to this drastic decrease in number, the Malayan tigers have been put on the “critically endangered” list by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Recently however, a tigress and her four cubs – believed to be around two-years-old; were spotted roaming freely at a Felda palm oil plantation in Dungun, Terengganu!
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According to state Agriculture, Food Industry, Plantation Commodities and Rural Development committee chairman Dr Azman Ibrahim, the tiger family were spotted on an infrared camera by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) at Ladang Felda Kerteh 4.
The chairman shared that Ladang Felda Kerteh 4 has always been a popular spot for tiger sightings as the plantation is situated at the edge of the forest and there are roughly 1,000 cows kept by a farmer nearby.
He also shared that the tigress is believed to have been responsible for recent attacks on the livestock in the area.
“Based on the picture, we believe that the female was training its cubs to hunt because the cows that were killed, were not eaten at all,” he said.
The chairman added that the last known attack on livestock by the tigress was on 14th June.
“About 240 cows owned by Felda settlers have been killed since tigers began appearing in the area in 2019,” he said. “It is fortunate that only livestock has been eaten so far.”
Terengganu Perhilitan has been staying at the affected farm since May 2021 to conduct 24-hour surveillance.
In order to prevent tiger attack, the chairman noted that Felda settlers were given a 6pm curfew every day and advised to keep their livestock inside secure pens.
“We also advise the public not to visit the picnic area at a waterfall near the Felda farm,” he added.
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The tiger family sighting is definitely one to behold and we can’t stop gushing over the adorable cubs!
Though they may be attacking the livestock nearby (the circle of life of course…), we hope to see more of these magnificent Malayan tigers and that they’re numbers will grow enough to get them off the critically endangered list.
Info via The Star