KUALA LUMPUR: The use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and artificial intelligence (AI) through motion detection devices has been proposed at wildlife roadkill hotspots (where night collisions have killed six critically endangered Malayan Tigers in two years), says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi proposed this at the Third National Tiger Conservation Task Force Meeting (MyTTF) on Wednesday (Nov 13), which was also attended by representatives of the "tiger range states" of Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
"This technology is seen to have cost-savings efficiency compared to the construction of perpetual streetlights because the device is able to use flashing lights to alert drivers. The Works Ministry also said it is ready to support the implementation of a study to see if this is viable.
"I have also suggested that the speed limit in roadkill hotspots is reviewed so drivers will slow down," he said in a statement on Thursday (Nov 14).
Nik Nazmi also said the meeting also agreed for Malaysia to become a member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which is led by the Indian government, to strengthen strategic cooperation in the conservation of tigers (besides lions, leopards, puma, jaguars and cheetahs) and their habitats at the international level.
Also agreed upon is the implementation of the Malayan Tiger Crisis Action Plan 2021-2030 (MTCAP) to stabilise the big cat population to 400 tigers (by 2023).
In addition, Nik Nazmi said the third MyTTF also took note of the implementation status of strategic actions for Malayan Tiger conservation including the successful enforcement operations that saw the arrest of 506 Malaysian citizens and 116 foreigners as well as with a seizure value of over RM270mi in poached items.
The meeting also took note of the implementation status of the Malayan Tiger habitat accreditation scheme, Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS), which involves new registrations from Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak and Terengganu.
Nik Nazmi also said he was informed that there was an increase in the number of Malayan Tigers compared to 2021 which was recorded at less than 150, but the actual number will be reported in 2025 after all monitoring data is analysed.
"The success achieved in Malayan tiger conservation (thus far) shows that the rescue efforts will bear fruit if the federal government, state governments and all parties agree and put a high commitment in dealing with the Malayan tiger population crisis.
"I call for (conservation) efforts to continue to be enhanced to further strengthen the national agenda in ensuring that the species which is the symbol of our national coat-of-arms (identity) does not become extinct forever," he added. – Bernama
