AS the nation becomes increasingly developed and urbanised, one side-effect is that the habitat for our endangered wildlife becomes smaller and smaller. As such, interactions between people and protected animals have become a lot more common.
Recently, a video of a dead tiger by the side of a road went viral on social media; it is claimed that the incident happened in Perak when a trailer hit the animal.
Is this true?
VERDICT:
TRUE
This was confirmed by Perak Science, Environment and Green Technology committee chairman Teh Kok Lim, who said the incident happened along the North-South expressway near the Gua Tempurung rest area at about 12.30am on Thursday (Nov 9).
Teh said that Perhilitan personnel have confirmed that the male tiger that was killed is aged between eight to 10 years old
“The carcass of the tiger has been brought to the National Wildlife Rescue Center (NWRC) in Sungkai for the next course of action. The department believes that this tiger is the same one that had been attacking livestock, and creating fear among residents in Kampar,” he said in a statement.
Teh added that Perhilitan officials have told him that the sudden reduction in wild boar due to African Swine Fever has led to tigers roaming closer to villages.
“Cows have been roaming at the oil palm estates at the edge of the jungles, and the tiger has found easy targets to attack for its diet. Cows and other livestock are easier for a tiger to attack compared to wild boar," he said.
Teh said research would be continued to be carried out to ensure the cause of the problem, and measures to handle it.
