(MY) tiger poaching

[Guest guest]

The Star 16th Oct 2005

 

 

Tiger poaching and trade rile up public and NGOs

 

BY FLORENCE A. SAMY

 

PETALING JAYA: Disgust, outrage and sorrow – the whole gamut of

emotions came to the fore as people vented their anger over the

butchering of a tiger, which was cut into four and stuffed in a

refrigerator.

 

" I felt like crying when I read the papers this morning, " said

Valentine Siva, 66.

 

The Government, added the public relations consultant, must impose

harsher punishment on those who kill wild animals or " the day may come

when our children may not even get to see a frog " .

 

And Malaysian Trade Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Datuk Dr S. H.

Foo – who hit the headlines by saving a tiger cub (subsequently named

Nicky) from the cooking pot – has called for rewards to be given to

encourage reporting of poaching activities.

 

" It is pitiful to see a tiger cut up like that. We must also

discourage people from consuming wildlife as many still believe that

this can chase spirits away and give them energy. "

 

On Thursday, forest rangers found the carcass of a protected Malayan

tiger in Tumpat, Kelantan. A 22-year-old Thai has been arrested and is

expected to be charged in connection with the case.

 

 

The wave of reactions to the story and picture of the carcass in The

Star included warning from environmental groups that the animal could

become extinct if nothing was done to stop poaching and the

consumption of tiger parts.

 

Malaysian Nature Society response officer G. Chitra Devi said as long

as there was demand, tiger trade would continue to thrive.

 

She said one way to combat poaching was to ensure that the tiger's

habitat was protected and there were proper buffer zones around the

habitats.

 

" The present penalties are insufficient to deter poachers and should

be increased by at least 10-fold, " she added.

 

Chris Shepherd, South-East Asia programme director of wildlife trade

monitoring network Traffic, said he was more disappointed than shocked

to read that tiger poaching was on the rise.

 

" It will be quite embarrassing for Malaysia to lose a national symbol

as once the tigers disappear, you can't just bring them back.

 

" If the rate of tiger poaching and loss of habitat continues, it is

very likely that the tiger (estimated to be fewer than 500) will go

extinct, " he said.

 

Sahabat Alam Malaysia president S.M. Mohd Idris said increased

political will, an awareness drive and stricter enforcement were all

needed.

 

" The latest incident is just the tip of the iceberg as it could be the

work of organised poachers. With high prices and low risks, the trade

is spiralling out of control, " he said.