Harimau Malaya

Source: The Hindu

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Context

• Malaysian government is implementing strategic actions to conserve the critically endangered Malayan tiger by addressing habitat loss and poaching, with efforts continuing till 2030.

Details

Key Points

• Current Status:
  • Less than 150 Malayan tigers are remained in the wild as of June 26.
  • As reported by the First National Tiger Survey (2016-2020).
• Government Actions:
  • Nine strategic actions for conservation approved by the Malaysia’s federal cabinet in 2021.
  • The efforts to continue till 2030 to stop the decline in tiger numbers.
• Historical Decline:
  • It was estimated around 3,000 tigers in Malaysia in the 1950s.
  • There has been a significant decline due to habitat loss and poaching.
  • British colonization of Singapore (1819) started biodiversity destruction.
• Over 200 years, Singapore had lost 37% of wild flora and fauna, including the Malayan tiger.
• Indigenous Knowledge:
  • Use of Orang Asli (oldest inhabitants of the Malay Peninsula) knowledge to prevent poaching.
• Conservation Efforts:
  • Strategic actions aimed at reversing the decline.
  • Importance of integrating indigenous knowledge and addressing root causes of habitat loss and poaching.

Malayan Tiger Details:

• Scientific name: Panthera tigris jacksoni.
• Found in Peninsular Malaysia, symbol of Malaysia.
• Historical range included Singapore.

Sources:

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