A video of an apparently malnourished tiger roaming on a hill by the roadside was recently shared on Twitter by Malaysian actress Sharifah Sofia.
The majestic cat looked skinny as it slinked around the low-lying plants covering the side of the gentle slope.
Sharifah, whose impassioned tweet came just a couple of weeks after she finished her walk for tigers, is known for her nature and wildlife activism.
Deforestation is the culprit
In her tweet, she shares that, “THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS NO MORE JUNGLE!!!! Just look how thin the poor thing is.”
This was just shared with me. Posted on social media yesterday. I will not say where because I don't want poachers out to get it but its in Kelantan.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS NO MORE JUNGLE!!!! Just look how kurus the poor thing is. pic.twitter.com/cwXubNGTgc— Sharifah Sofia ? (@sharifahsofia) May 31, 2022
She then went on to explain that the tiger was spotted roaming around so near to humans not because it was out “sight-seeing” but it is because it is looking for food.
She elaborated by saying that deforestation is to be blamed because it destroys the habitats of tigers as well as other animals. Without the rainforest, wildlife cannot hunt for food.
“Our whole ecosystem is collapsing right before our eyes yet we turn a blind eye and live in ignorance.”
ONE single adult tiger needs between 60km² and 100km² with enough food, water and shelter resources.
Malaysia has lost 29% of its tree cover in the last two decades.
And it is not stopping!!— Sharifah Sofia ? (@sharifahsofia) May 31, 2022
A magnificent sighting
Noting the close proximity of the tiger to human populations in the video, one netizen expressed their awe at being able to see the tiger so up close.
While Sharifah acknowledged that the tiger sighting was indeed rare and sublime, it is actually “a very terrifying scenario.”
She said, “I met someone a couple of weeks ago during my walk and she said his friends done kena makan by a tiger just behind her house.”
Scary, but sad
However, she also added that while it is a very scary thing, seeing the endangered animal outside of its habitat “should be more sad than scary.”
Most of the netizens seem to agree as they expressed their sadness and frustration.
“I don’t know why but every time I see tigers, tapirs, or elephants wandering near the road, I feel so sad. It’s because I know that they’ve lost their homes…. forests cut down.”
“I’m not even amazed, just sad.”
What do you think about the tiger sighting? Let us know in the comments!
Also read: M’sian Actress Files Suit Against Govt Agencies in KL High Court For Not Protecting Malayan Tigers
