26
COVER STORY
@ Forest | January-February , 2022
A concerted effort
Tiger Range countries and partners share initiatives on tiger conservation during AMC4 partners . Some of the sessions touched on financial resource mobilisation , landscape conservation and habitat management , governance and sustainable rehabilitation .
In his officiating speech , Malaysia ’ s Prime Minister Dato ’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said tigers had always been revered in many cultures across Asia as a symbol of bravery , power and valour .
“ It is extremely unfortunate that the future of these majestic creatures is at stake due to man ’ s activities such as poaching , illegal wildlife trade , and land-use changes , among others ,” he said .
Ismail then shared the critically endangered Malayan tiger , Malaysia ’ s symbol of strength and resilience , which experts predicted would vanish within five to 10 years if strategic action was not immediately implemented . Therefore , Malaysia decided to strengthen its tiger conservation efforts to prevent this situation .
Sustainable financial mechanisms
Ismail said tiger conservation was costly to execute . Adequate , substantial technical and financial resources were needed for effective implementation . Therefore , he believed it was crucial for resource mobilisation and sustainable financial mechanisms to be put in place .
“ The loss of tigers knows no geographical , cultural and political boundaries . In this time of need , let us , as the TRCs and partners , work together in the spirit of a world family to save our tigers !
“ For this reason , Malaysia is proposing to adopt the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement on Tiger Conservation . This 13-point Joint Statement would support the implementation of actions within the Southeast Asia Tiger Recovery Action Plan ( STRAP ) based on agreed priorities to recover and boost the tiger population in potential tiger habitats within Southeast Asia ,” said Ismail .
He further explained that adopting the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement , STRAP and Resource Mobilisation Strategy would provide TRCs with a
BY FATIHAH MANAF
Tiger recovery and active management
ACCORDING to the World Wildlife Fund ( WWF ), the overall number of wild tigers increased after a century of decline .
India , Nepal , Bhutan , Russia and China have witnessed a stable or increasing tiger population for the past years . Despite the good news of the overall increasing trend , much work still needs to be done in areas like Southeast Asia , where the tiger species is at the brink of extinction .
To deliberate progress made by Tiger Range Countries ( TRCs ) towards strengthening their conservation of wild tigers , prey species and habitats , the 4th Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation ( AMC4 ) was held on Jan 19-21 , 2022 .
The conference was jointly organised by the Malaysian government and Global Tiger Forum ( GTF ), supported by local and international partners and served as a significant preparatory forum for the Second Global Tiger Summit , to be held in Russia .
The AMC4 witnessed various sharing sessions among TRCs and their
CONCERTED EFFORTS are needed among Tiger Range Countries ( TRCs ) to protect and recover the world ’ s wild tiger population . These countries take numerous initiatives , including hosting the Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation ( AMC ).
The fourth edition of the conference , AMC4 , was held recently online . One of its side events , entitled ‘ Tiger Recovery and Active Management ’, saw the discussion between experts on their efforts to recover the tiger populations . The session , moderated by Dr Catrini Kubontubuh , featured Dr David Magintan , Dr Suwanna Gauntlett , Dr Thomas Gray and Dr Grigoriy Mazmaniants .
Malayan tiger conservation
Magintan is in charge of the National Wildlife Rescue Centre ( NWRC ), Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia .
According to Magintan , the centre was established under Section 7 , the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 ( Act 686 ). It was a centre for endangered wildlife species rescued from injuries , smuggling activities , seizure and surrender in Peninsular Malaysia .
“ At the centre currently , we have 19 Malayan tigers , consisting of eight males and eleven females . The latest Malayan tiger brought into the centre was a male tiger from Terengganu . It was trapped from the conflict area and brought in in August 2021 ,” he shared .
The Malayan tiger complexes at the centre consisted of five blocks , 20 night stalls and 10 exercise yards ( 0.15 acre ). The centre was responsible for the Malayan Tiger Breeding Programme , research , rescue operations , farming , awareness programme , and regular health check-up of the Malayan tigers .
“ We are doing a natural breeding programme . Then , we are doing an assisted reproductive technology ( ART ) programme , which is also part of our staff ’ s capacity building . We ( also ) pair our tigers with other tigers from zoos .
“ We have ongoing research on Malayan tigers , such as the behaviour of Malayan tiger in captivity . Other than that , there ’ s also a study on genetics , reproduction and hormones . The researchers are from the department itself and also from other research institutions and universities .”
Tiger reintroduction in Cambodia
Gauntlett , the Chief Executive Officer of