TG MALIM – Artificial insemination is one of the reproductive technologies being implemented to arrest the Malayan tiger’s critically low population.
Environment minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said it is one of the ex-situ programmes at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) in Sungkai to overcome the local big cat’s natural low birth rate.
“It is still at the trial stage. It has not worked yet as there may be some problems, including disease, that could affect the ability of these tigers to reproduce naturally,” he said, which is why artificial insemination methods are being worked on.
Nik Nazmi was speaking to reporters after a visit to the NWRC here today. Earlier, the minister accompanied Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to visit the centre.
Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and Regent of Pahang Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah also joined the king in the visit which began at about 11.30am.
During the visit, the Agong was briefed by officials from Perhilitan, the peninsular Wildlife Department, on the operation of the NWRC and witnessed for himself the wildlife conservation initiatives at the centre – including for the Malayan tiger, sun bear, tapir and gaur.
Perhilitan aims to increase the Malayan tiger population to 400 in the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi said his ministry took note of the threat of extinction for other endangered wildlife species such as the Asian elephant, tapir, sun bear and gaur.
He said to address the issue, the ministry through Perhilitan has set up conservation centres, such as the ones for elephants and tigers, both in Lanchang, Pahang.
In addition, there are also centres for tapirs in Kenaboi, Negri Sembilan and at the Sg Dusun Wildlife Conservation Centre, while gaur conservation is carried out at Sungkai and in Pahang’s Jenderak Selatan. – September 21, 2023