malaysian naturalist, march 2017
It is time to be an actor in the tragic drama of Malayan tiger annihilation and, in the process, foster a community of conservationists, says the MNS Conservation Division
THE IMAGES are stark: a dead tiger on the road, the vehicle that hit it parked nearby – it is later discovered that the female tiger was carrying two cubs, meaning three tigers that could have been roaming the country’s jungles are gone in a single swipe. Another set of photos shows a tiger killed in a snare, and men cutting into the carcass for organs. There are also pictures of carcasses, tiger-skin rugs and animal parts following successful seizures by the authorities.
This is the age of the Internet, and the images are spread through social media far and wide before it even hits the mainstream printed page. Some may see the photos and quickly scroll down, others might browse for a read, some opt to share, and a number will linger to pass comment. There is anger, there are fingers pointed this way and that, recriminations and calls for more stringent enforcement. There is no shortage of odes to the beauty of the black-and-orange striped feline, Panthera tigris jacksoni, the protector of Malaysia’s forests.
We also see this in a variety of media and for a wide range of the Earth’s threatened creatures (think Cecil the lion and Harambe the gorilla and the uproar following their deaths). And yet, in the majority of cases, when the story comes to an end, when the figurative credits roll on the screen, we turn to each other and go: “That’s sad, but I’m sure someone will do something. What’s showing next?”
This is the age of the Internet, and the images are spread through social media far and wide before it even hits the mainstream printed page. Some may see the photos and quickly scroll down, others might browse for a read, some opt to share, and a number will linger to pass comment. There is anger, there are fingers pointed this way and that, recriminations and calls for more stringent enforcement. There is no shortage of odes to the beauty of the black-and-orange striped feline, Panthera tigris jacksoni, the protector of Malaysia’s forests.
We also see this in a variety of media and for a wide range of the Earth’s threatened creatures (think Cecil the lion and Harambe the gorilla and the uproar following their deaths). And yet, in the majority of cases, when the story comes to an end, when the figurative credits roll on the screen, we turn to each other and go: “That’s sad, but I’m sure someone will do something. What’s showing next?”
This is the movie of our world, our Earth. The cameras have been rolling for centuries, from when Man decided to hunt for sport, economics and feelings of superiority. That animal head on the wall, those pills with no scientifically proven medicinal value, the tale of outwitting an animal told around the dinner table – these movies play around the world and for the most part, we have been mere viewers. Now it is time to recollect that being at the top of the food chain has its perks but carries its own responsibilities.
In the case of Cecil, killed in Zimbabwe in 2015, the global uproar inspired debate on hunting tourism, and brought about some changes, including airlines banning the transport of hunting trophies and countries banning the import of lion trophies.
In the case of Cecil, killed in Zimbabwe in 2015, the global uproar inspired debate on hunting tourism, and brought about some changes, including airlines banning the transport of hunting trophies and countries banning the import of lion trophies.
Starring: You!
Small as those changes may be, it still gives us a peek at actions and consequences of a public stand against wildlife killings. So what can we do for our Malayan tiger, whose numbers have plunged from 3,000 individuals in the 1950s to fewer than 300 today?
Here, we look to MYCAT, the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers comprising WWF-Malaysia, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), the Wildlife Conservation Society through its WCS Malaysia Programme and TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, and supported by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) in implementing the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan for Malaysia (2008-2020).
For those who prefer to stay behind the scenes, MYCAT provides the people a way to have their voices heard, namely through the #NoMoreDeadTigers petition (bit.do/harimau), which calls for changes in policy for increased protection for these apex predators. There are four prongs, demanding, in a nutshell:
Small as those changes may be, it still gives us a peek at actions and consequences of a public stand against wildlife killings. So what can we do for our Malayan tiger, whose numbers have plunged from 3,000 individuals in the 1950s to fewer than 300 today?
Here, we look to MYCAT, the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers comprising WWF-Malaysia, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), the Wildlife Conservation Society through its WCS Malaysia Programme and TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, and supported by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) in implementing the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan for Malaysia (2008-2020).
For those who prefer to stay behind the scenes, MYCAT provides the people a way to have their voices heard, namely through the #NoMoreDeadTigers petition (bit.do/harimau), which calls for changes in policy for increased protection for these apex predators. There are four prongs, demanding, in a nutshell:
- Maximum sentences to be handed out to criminals convicted of killing or trading in tigers and other endangered species.
- Civil society to be allowed to support the investigation and prosecution process of wildlife crimes, and alternative penalties to be used against wildlife criminals.
- Sustainable forestry certification to be re-evaluated for forests where tigers are killed.
- Highest priority to be given to maintain tiger habitats under natural forest cover and to halt further forest fragmentation within the Central Forest Spine landscape.
In The Spotlight
For a hands-on experience, MYCAT’s volunteerism stage is the place to be. The alliance’s Rewilding Yu and Citizen Action for Tigers (CAT) programmes allow participants to truly get their hands – and feet – dirty in the soil of our land, in the heart of tiger territory.
This is Sungai Yu, which once seamlessly connected two main green areas, the Central Forest Spine and Taman Negara Pahang, home to the Malayan tiger and a score of other large mammals, including the elephant and sambar deer. This connection allowed these animals to roam a larger area, for food, mating and safety purposes, but developmental pressure put paid to that in the form of the Lipis-Gua Musang road. When further development began in 2009 for a four-lane highway to replace the Federal road, MYCAT succesfully lobbied for an eco-viaduct to be created under an elevated section to safeguard the movement of animals.
Rewilding Yu focuses on reforesting this Sungai Yu Tiger Corridor, making it more conducive for wildlife crossings, with the vision of, according to Dr. Kae Kawanishi, General Manager of MYCAT, “bringing back the forest so that the returning wildlife can safely cross under the eco-viaducts”.
This 800m stretch of remaining Federal road and cleared land is too exposed for animals to use with confidence, and the replanting needs are being met through MYCAT, citizen conservation groups and NGOs such as MNS. Head of Conservation Balu Perumal says planting trees helps build homes for the tiger, and MNS, the country’s oldest environmental NGO, is playing its part by providing saplings and promoting reforestation among the area’s key players.
For a hands-on experience, MYCAT’s volunteerism stage is the place to be. The alliance’s Rewilding Yu and Citizen Action for Tigers (CAT) programmes allow participants to truly get their hands – and feet – dirty in the soil of our land, in the heart of tiger territory.
This is Sungai Yu, which once seamlessly connected two main green areas, the Central Forest Spine and Taman Negara Pahang, home to the Malayan tiger and a score of other large mammals, including the elephant and sambar deer. This connection allowed these animals to roam a larger area, for food, mating and safety purposes, but developmental pressure put paid to that in the form of the Lipis-Gua Musang road. When further development began in 2009 for a four-lane highway to replace the Federal road, MYCAT succesfully lobbied for an eco-viaduct to be created under an elevated section to safeguard the movement of animals.
Rewilding Yu focuses on reforesting this Sungai Yu Tiger Corridor, making it more conducive for wildlife crossings, with the vision of, according to Dr. Kae Kawanishi, General Manager of MYCAT, “bringing back the forest so that the returning wildlife can safely cross under the eco-viaducts”.
This 800m stretch of remaining Federal road and cleared land is too exposed for animals to use with confidence, and the replanting needs are being met through MYCAT, citizen conservation groups and NGOs such as MNS. Head of Conservation Balu Perumal says planting trees helps build homes for the tiger, and MNS, the country’s oldest environmental NGO, is playing its part by providing saplings and promoting reforestation among the area’s key players.
“We started a nursery at the MNS headquarters, and there volunteers can take action for the Malayan tiger right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur,” he says. “We are planting various types of shrub plants, as well as local hardwood trees, such as the merbau, sourced from seeds collected by the orang asli in Gua Musang, Kelantan. These commercial timber trees are now threatened, owing to development, and nursing healthy saplings means we can help bring the riparian forests back.”
MNS also provided trees for, and took part in, several replanting sessions in Sungai Yu, beginning from when the programme was launched in July, while it is working towards buy-in by local communities, including rubber planters. “We’re talking to smallholders to reforest within their plantation areas, and also become the eyes and ears of the authorities,” Balu says. “Being on-the-ground means they can monitor the presence of poachers and report wildlife sightings, and volunteers can help MNS with this outreach action, alongside the replanting efforts.”
Walk The Walk
Rewilding Yu also complements MYCAT’s citizen action programme, which aims to directly protect tigers by walking jungle paths in the vicinity of the Tiger Corridor as well as Pahang’s forest borders. The aptly named CAT Walk takes volunteers on guided patrols of tiger areas, and they’re tasked with removing snares, monitoring signs of wildlife and, more essentially, discouraging poaching and illegal encroachment through their presence in these hunting hot spots.
MYCAT reports that the programme has disabled more than a hundred snares, which are still widely used despite being made illegal under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, and recorded the return of certain wildlife not seen in recent years. As MYCAT’s Kae says in a recent magazine interview: “Over the years, we realised that it takes more than just knowing about nature to care about it. You really need to experience it. That’s the unique opportunity that the CAT Walk provides.” For a schedule of tree-planting and CAT Walks, go to malayantiger.net and click on “Calendar of Events”, or read more about CAT at citizenactionfortigers.my.
Personable, front-line volunteers are also in demand for outreach programmes run by MYCAT and its alliance members MNS, WWF Malaysia, TRAFFIC and WCS. Focusing on education, including outreach to the Orang Asli communities and children, these organisations conduct a range of activities throughout the year, with many opportunities for the public to be involved.
Funding is another way to set one’s mark on the tiger landscape, and each organisation has its own donation or sponsorship programme for activities, which range from WWF’s anti-poaching efforts, monitoring tiger habitats and increasing awareness; to WCS’s local community engagement and tiger workshops; TRAFFIC’s educational programmes with the Orang Asli communities and monitoring the illegal trade of wildlife and parts; and MNS’s work through its School Nature Club to create environmental leaders of tomorrow.
MNS also provided trees for, and took part in, several replanting sessions in Sungai Yu, beginning from when the programme was launched in July, while it is working towards buy-in by local communities, including rubber planters. “We’re talking to smallholders to reforest within their plantation areas, and also become the eyes and ears of the authorities,” Balu says. “Being on-the-ground means they can monitor the presence of poachers and report wildlife sightings, and volunteers can help MNS with this outreach action, alongside the replanting efforts.”
Walk The Walk
Rewilding Yu also complements MYCAT’s citizen action programme, which aims to directly protect tigers by walking jungle paths in the vicinity of the Tiger Corridor as well as Pahang’s forest borders. The aptly named CAT Walk takes volunteers on guided patrols of tiger areas, and they’re tasked with removing snares, monitoring signs of wildlife and, more essentially, discouraging poaching and illegal encroachment through their presence in these hunting hot spots.
MYCAT reports that the programme has disabled more than a hundred snares, which are still widely used despite being made illegal under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, and recorded the return of certain wildlife not seen in recent years. As MYCAT’s Kae says in a recent magazine interview: “Over the years, we realised that it takes more than just knowing about nature to care about it. You really need to experience it. That’s the unique opportunity that the CAT Walk provides.” For a schedule of tree-planting and CAT Walks, go to malayantiger.net and click on “Calendar of Events”, or read more about CAT at citizenactionfortigers.my.
Personable, front-line volunteers are also in demand for outreach programmes run by MYCAT and its alliance members MNS, WWF Malaysia, TRAFFIC and WCS. Focusing on education, including outreach to the Orang Asli communities and children, these organisations conduct a range of activities throughout the year, with many opportunities for the public to be involved.
Funding is another way to set one’s mark on the tiger landscape, and each organisation has its own donation or sponsorship programme for activities, which range from WWF’s anti-poaching efforts, monitoring tiger habitats and increasing awareness; to WCS’s local community engagement and tiger workshops; TRAFFIC’s educational programmes with the Orang Asli communities and monitoring the illegal trade of wildlife and parts; and MNS’s work through its School Nature Club to create environmental leaders of tomorrow.
Green Hall of Fame
Of course, movie stars need somewhere to strut their stuff, and MNS has created a platform to shine the limelight on local environmental heroes who play a part in this new production for Mother Nature. Called Lend A Hand for Conservation (www.4naturelah.weebly.com), the initiative gives publicity – via website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube – to all kinds of green efforts, in order to forge a strong community of conservationists.
Balu Perumal says Lend A Hand promotes the idea that all Malaysians can play their part in protecting the environment and wildlife, whether as individuals or groups or through the corporate sector, and even in the smallest way. “The 4NatureLAH platform recognises a wide range of conservation efforts, such as Wildlife Warrior, 3R Rebel, Forest Friend and Nature Educator, and by highlighting local environmental heroes, we hope the platform will bring conservationists together and also inspire others to act,” he says.
On pushing the local community to do more than watch as Malaysia’s green movie rolls, he states: “We have been idle too long, sitting in front of the screen and watching our forests be degraded and our animals poached to extinction. It’s time to be a player, whether behind the scenes or on the conservation stage, to give a voice to our threatened wildlife, to ensure a green tomorrow for our beloved country.
“We must be the ones to move when the director calls out, ‘Action!’”
Of course, movie stars need somewhere to strut their stuff, and MNS has created a platform to shine the limelight on local environmental heroes who play a part in this new production for Mother Nature. Called Lend A Hand for Conservation (www.4naturelah.weebly.com), the initiative gives publicity – via website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube – to all kinds of green efforts, in order to forge a strong community of conservationists.
Balu Perumal says Lend A Hand promotes the idea that all Malaysians can play their part in protecting the environment and wildlife, whether as individuals or groups or through the corporate sector, and even in the smallest way. “The 4NatureLAH platform recognises a wide range of conservation efforts, such as Wildlife Warrior, 3R Rebel, Forest Friend and Nature Educator, and by highlighting local environmental heroes, we hope the platform will bring conservationists together and also inspire others to act,” he says.
On pushing the local community to do more than watch as Malaysia’s green movie rolls, he states: “We have been idle too long, sitting in front of the screen and watching our forests be degraded and our animals poached to extinction. It’s time to be a player, whether behind the scenes or on the conservation stage, to give a voice to our threatened wildlife, to ensure a green tomorrow for our beloved country.
“We must be the ones to move when the director calls out, ‘Action!’”