The Malayan tiger, our national icon and a symbol of bravery, is teetering on the brink of extinction. With fewer than 150 individuals left in the wild, every loss is a devastating blow to Malaysia’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.
 
Recent incidents in the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex lay bare a heartbreaking reality: human lives lost to tiger encounters, and tigers killed by vehicles on the Gerik-Jeli Highway. These tragedies are preventable, yet they persist.
 
The Gerik-Jeli Highway, cutting through Royal Belum State Park and the Temengor Forest Reserve, is an economic lifeline. Yet, for our Malayan tigers, it has become a death trap. For tigers, shrinking habitats and dwindling prey - worsened by African Swine Fever - force them to roam farther into human-dominated areas. This increases their risk of crossing busy highways, where fatal collisions are all too common.
 
Since 2023, six tigers have died in roadkill incidents in Malaysia, with two tragic incidents on the Gerik-Jeli Highway in the past two months. Each death serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for decisive action to protect our wildlife.
   
The recent Third National Tiger Conservation Task Force (MyTTF) meeting showed promising momentum in addressing the multiple threats faced by the Malayan tiger, including roadkills and human-tiger conflicts. WWF-Malaysia and RIMAU commend the Tiger Range States (TRS) - Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan - for stepping up to make roads safer for tigers and other wildlife. However, bold and immediate action is crucial to prevent further losses.
 
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s proposals, including warning systems and studies into wildlife crossings, are welcome steps forward. These efforts must be paired with nighttime speed restrictions, prey augmentation, and public education to effectively mitigate the risks.
 
Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi’s call for ecological fiscal transfers (EFT) to incentivise states to protect wildlife corridors reflects a growing commitment. But time is of the essence - these ideas must quickly translate into on-the-ground action.

Solutions Are Within Reach
To prevent further tragedies, the following measures are clear and actionable:

●Wildlife Crossings: Construct safe passageways such as overpasses and underpasses, designed specifically for wildlife to safely cross highways. These structures should be strategically placed in areas with high wildlife movement, identified through ecological studies and monitoring. Effective fencing should also guide animals toward these crossings, reducing the likelihood of roadkill.

●Speed Enforcement: Strictly reduce, regulate and monitor speeds in wildlife corridors, especially at night when most animals cross highways. Speed-monitoring systems, such as automated cameras and road sensors, can ensure compliance. Installing visible warning signage and speed bumps in critical areas can further alert drivers to the presence of wildlife.

●Prey Augmentation: Address the scarcity of prey in tiger habitats by restoring populations of native prey species, such as deer and wild boar, through breeding and reintroduction programmes. This effort can help reduce tigers' need to roam outside protected areas in search of food, lowering the risk of road encounters and human-wildlife conflict.

●Public Awareness: Educate road users and communities on the importance of protecting wildlife. Conduct awareness campaigns targeting road users and local communities, emphasising the importance of wildlife conservation and safe driving practices in wildlife-rich areas.
   
Saving the Malayan tiger is not just about conserving a species - it is about preserving the very fabric of our nation.

Protecting the Malayan tiger requires collective action. WWF-Malaysia and RIMAU together call on the government to urgently form a taskforce to address tiger roadkill. Extending the collaboration exemplified by the Wildlife Crime Unit to road safety measures can significantly reduce tiger mortality along key highways like Gerik-Jeli. From wildlife crossings to education campaigns, every effort counts.

We commend the government for its renewed commitment to protecting the Malayan tiger, including the allocation of RM200 million for conservation and strengthened enforcement efforts with PERHILITAN, the Royal Malaysia Police, and Interpol. 

Let us build on the government’s commendable efforts by addressing the crisis of roadkill with urgency. Together - Tiger Range States, federal agencies, NGOs, and all Malaysians - we can ensure this iconic species continues to roam our forests for generations to come.
 
Sophia Lim
Executive Director and CEO, WWF-Malaysia

Lara Ariffin
President, RIMAU
 

 

 

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) was established in 1972 and is part of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the international conservation organisation. Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature, WWF-Malaysia’s efforts to conserve nature focus on six major themes: forests, oceans, wildlife, food, climate and energy, as well as freshwater. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
Find our latest news here:
https://www.wwf.org.my/media_and_information/media_centre_and_updates/

 
 

About RIMAU
www.rimau.ngo

 

RIMAU - Persatuan Pelindung Harimau Malaysia (RIMAU) is a leading organization in Malaysia dedicated to the protection and conservation of tigers. RIMAU works closely with various stakeholders, including indigenous rangers, to safeguard tiger habitats and promote tiger conservation efforts in the country.