Tigers have immense cultural value at global, national and local levels and to a variety of ethnic groups. Many indigenous peoples live in tiger habitat and preserving tigers can also preserve traditional cultures. True to its name, our Malayan tigers are a symbol of courage and strength, represented in the emblems of the Royal Malaysian Police, our National football team and, more importantly, our Jata Negara.

The Malayan tiger is the smallest subspecies in the Southeast Asian region. These majestic creatures are excellent swimmers that love the water, and have been recorded up to 2,000 metres above sea level. Their main diet consists of smaller prey, with a preference for the sambar deer.

Tigers are territorial animals, and need large areas of forest to roam. It has been estimated that a roaming area for a male tiger is 300 sq.km and 100 sq.km for females. In general, a male tiger’s roaming area overlaps with three female tigers, and they are usually solitary animals, except for when they are mating or when the mothers are nurturing their young. Tiger cubs will stay with their mother until they are two years old after which, they will set off on their own.