In the past few months, there have been several wild tiger sightings in various parts of Malaysia. Although they don’t seem to be causing harm most of the time, there have been instances where they have done so.
It was recently reported that the residents of Kampung Tendrik in Pos Bihai, Kelantan have been living in fear due to tiger threats and sightings in the area.
Even though the National Wildlife and Parks Protection Department (Perhilitan) had previously managed to capture one tiger in Kampung Hak in September, residents of the Temiar orang asli village are still forced to stay indoors from 6 pm onwards as there are still several tigers roaming about.
According to resident Apek Asud who spoke to Berita Harian, this problem began early in the year when one of the residents found tiger footprints near the village houses.
“The tigers have been spotted roaming around for the past three months, and footprints have been detected around Kampung Tendrik, Kampung Sau, Kampung Hak, Kampung Badak, and Kampung Bihai Lama since June,” he said.
“For me, there has to be a long-term solution because it affects the lives and safety of the orang asli people in this area. To the point where we will live in fear. At night, we hear dogs barking; the next morning there will be a dead dog.”
Meanwhile, according to the chairman of the Orang Asli Village Development and Safety Committee (JPKKOA), Ajeh Bahorom of Kampung Pos Tohoi, tigers may still be at large in the area.
He stated that on November 20, the locals spotted one for the first time, and they thought that it had gotten into the neighbourhood through the dormitory of Sekolah Kebangsaan Tohoi.
Apek said that this needs to be resolved soon to make sure the residents around the affected area can go back to living a comfortable and safe life without worrying about the tigers.
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Also read: Wildlife Dept Lodges Police Report Following Video of Men Pulling Out Dead Tiger’s Whiskers
