(MY) tiger cubs for sale claim

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Saturday August 20, 2005 - The Star

 

 

Authorities investigating tiger-cubs-for-sale claim

 

BY NELSON BENJAMIN

 

JOHOR BARU: The news that two tiger cubs are in the market have set the

authorities racing against time to prevent the cats from ending up as exotic

meals.

 

The state National Parks Corporation is working with the Johor Wildlife

Protection Society to verify information received by the latter that one of

the cubs has already been killed and preserved, and the other being sold for

RM25,000 in Tengaroh here.

 

It is learnt that fresh tiger meat can fetch as much as RM1,000 per kg,

while the going rate for tiger bones is RM600 per kg.

 

“We are working with the state National Parks Corporation on these reports

that came in on Wednesday,” society secretary Tay Teng Hwa said yesterday.

 

The society was told the cubs were caught at the Endau Rompin Forest

Reserve.

 

State National Parks Corporation director Hashim Yusof confirmed that the

corporation was liasing with the society on the matter, and would also check

out restaurants in Tengaroh.

 

Hashim warned poachers that under the Johor National Park Enactment 1989,

they could be jailed up to six months or fined RM5,000, even for removing

stones, flowers or plants from the five state nationals parks.

 

“Visitors can visit these parks but nothing must be taken out, as we want to

protect our plants, animals and artefacts,” Hashim said.

 

The national parks are Endau Rompin, Gunung Ledang, Mersing Island, Pulau

Kukup in Pontian and Tanjung Piai.

 

He urged those with information on poaching or restaurants selling “exotic

food” to contact him at 07-224 2525 or the State Wildlife Department (07-223

0580).

 

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