IPOH: Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) confirmed the presence of a Malayan tiger which was found roaming around Kampung Orang Asli Tonggang up to the General Operations Force (GOF) Ulu Kinta Camp here, for the past two days.
State Perhilitan director Yusoff Shariff said for the time being, his department through the Tiger Unit is conducting close monitoring, including installing special traps at certain locations.
"On Dec 14, we received a report regarding the presence of the tiger in Kampung Tonggang and the possibility that it was wandering in the surrounding area in search of food.
"We are trying to drive it (into the forest), but we will also install a special trap in a location which we feel is suitable and involves the route in the tiger's roaming area," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
On Dec 14, a video clip filmed by a group of Orang Asli residents which showed a Malayan tiger roaming around the GOF Ulu Kinta Camp area heading towards the Kampung Orang Asli Tonggang, went viral on social media.
A day later (Dec 15), it was reported that the wild animal was sighted roaming around the area by several residents of the Public Housing Project 2 (RPA 2) near the GOF camp.
Yusoff said the main reason the tiger, estimated to be two years old and weighing 80kg, entered the area was due to a lack of food sources.
"The tiger, believed to be from the Bukit Kinta Forest Reserve, and its presence is more due to a lack of food sources, which are wild boars and believed to be affected by African Swine Fever (ASF)," he said.
He also advised the residents around the area to be vigilant and reduce any activities at night.
"This is because tigers are active from Maghrib (dusk) to Subuh (dawn) and we urge that no individuals approach the forest area around the GOF Camp route to the Kampung Orang Asli Tonggang to prevent unwanted incidents," he said.– BERNAMA