HULU PERAK: Fear and intimidation of facing poachers in the jungle did not stop 36-year-old Zainudin Sudin from continuing to guard the invaluable forest where the Orang Asli community, like himself, calls home.
For 11 years, Zainudin fought against the illegal activities which threatened the existence of Malaysia’s symbol of pride – the Malayan tiger – within the national forest reserve in Belum-Temenggor Forest Complex here.
“I feel like there should be a responsibility among us, the Orang Asli, to protect our forests and the animals that live within,” he said, adding that it was for this reason that he decided to join efforts with the WWF-Malaysia Orang Asli Anti-Poaching Team to achieve the common goal.
Zainudin said it was also very important for him to participate in the tiger conservation efforts so that future generations can witness the species, which is unique to Malaysia.
Typically, he would spend up to two weeks in the jungle assisting WWF-Malaysia to remove the deadly snares and report any illegal activities to the authorities.
“If by any chance we meet poachers in the forest, we would not expose ourselves. It’s for our own safety because they are armed.
“We will try to face them by making up stories to avoid our covers getting exposed,” he said in an interview.
He recalled an incident in 2019 where he saw helpless animals trapped in snares set by poachers. Some of them had died and were left to rot.
Zainudin is just one of about 100 other Orang Asli who participated in the project called Project Stampede by WWF-Malaysia’s Tiger Conservation Programme.
Programme leader Azlan Mohamed and his team have been working tirelessly since 2007 to combat the menace of poaching.
However, in 2018, there was a spike in poaching activities that led to the initiation of Project Stampede, a concerted effort to curb illegal activities through community engagement.
“That’s where we started to collaborate closely with the local community, the Orang Asli, to remove snares, which is one of the main threats for tigers.
“The Orang Asli have lived in this landscape for generations. They know it better than others. They are truly the guardians of the forest,” said the 42-year-old.
Azlan said the Orang Asli’s vast knowledge of the forest and its wildlife has proven invaluable.
The project has not only provided them with stable livelihoods but also empowered them as stewards of their territory, he added.
Convincing the Orang Asli to join the project was initially challenging, Azlan recalled.
However, seeing how conservation efforts could enhance their lives and protect their ancestral lands, they became staunch supporters.
The project also introduced them to new technologies, equipping them with GPS devices and satellite phones to systematically document poaching evidence and communicate with the authorities.Over 500 camera traps were deployed throughout the forest complex to monitor tiger populations and gather data on their health.
Tiger and tradition: Azlan (center) and his team. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
These cameras have provided invaluable insights into their behaviour and distribution, aiding in conservation efforts.
Following the implementation of the programme, the results have been remarkable, according to Azlan, where there has been a dramatic decline in the number of snares found, with near-zero snares reported in recent years.
“Since Project Stampede started in 2018, we have started to see the number of snares drop dramatically from hundreds previously to almost zero now.
“So, it showed the success of the project, how the collaborations with the Orang Asli community brought positive impact to reduce poaching activities,” said Azlan.
He also acknowledged the efforts by the Perak State Park, which acts as the managing authority of Royal Belum State Park.
“They beefed up the number of rangers to carry out patrolling and contributed to the success,” he said.
Senior field biologist Muhamad Afif Wafiy Mohamad Taib, 33, who has been with WWF for eight years, coordinates a crucial part of the mission – working closely with the Orang Asli community to safeguard their natural heritage.
“So over a period of time the trust was gained, and eventually, we trained them because not all Orang Asli are able to read and write.
“I feel I can be the voice for the animals because they are out there crying for help due to habitat loss, deforestation and poaching incidents,” he said.
Central to Muhamad Afif Wafiy’s role is leading anti-poaching patrols and setting up camera traps to monitor tigers and their prey.
“When we do patrolling, we find fresh signs of poachers and other encroachment activities.
“We will then record and share it with the authorities for them to take action,” he said.
Engaging the Orang Asli, particularly the Jahai tribe, has been instrumental to the project’s success. Initially reserved, the tribe’s trust was gradually earned through transparent communication and inclusive project involvement.
“Now, they can read contours, use GPS and operate cameras, allowing them to plan and execute patrols independently,” Muhamad Afif Wafiy said.
He said the path has not been easy as patrollers face a hostile environment daily, encountering dangerous animals, navigating strong rivers and battling dense vegetation.
Muhamad Afif Wafiy also called upon the broader community: “Please stop buying bush meat and consuming wildlife-derived medicines. Report any suspicious activities related to wildlife crimes.”
Upon receiving the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA), Azlan hoped that the recognition would enhance the visibility of their project and garner more support from the public to conserve the Malayan tigers in Malaysia.
For their noble efforts, the WWF-Malaysia Orang Asli Anti-Poaching Team is named as one of the 10 winners of the SGHA 2024.
SGHA is an annual award by The Star that honours everyday Malaysian unsung heroes.
For more details, visit sgha.com.my.
