MYCAT: Public support in tiger conservation dismally low

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian public participation in the conservation of the endangered Malayan tiger is dismally low despite widespread public awareness on the matter, laments the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT).

The NGO’s general manager, Kae Kawanishi, said that Malaysians were aware that Malayan tigers were critically endangered, partly due to the fact that MYCAT had educated and reached out to “literally tens of thousands of Malaysians face-to-face with conservation messages”.

“Yet, only 1,600 people have volunteered their time and energy in our programmes,” the tiger biologist said in a statement.

Kawanishi chalked this disparity down to values, saying that no amount of education or money would save tigers if a person’s values were misplaced.

She however said that a large number of Malaysians were indeed concerned and ready to act.

Kawanishi also revealed that wildlife was “slowly coming back” in selected areas where MYCAT conducted guided hikes to deter poaching, but more resources were needed to scale up the little success seen so far.

“We need an army of people to support tiger conservation by taking action and donating funds to keep us fighting.”

MYCAT is currently running a citizen conservation programme (http://ift.tt/1TaYXFW) and a #NoMoreDeadTigers petition. The petition is available online at bit.do/mycatpetition.

Kawanishi’s comments come after FMT reported Tiger Trail founder Chris Slappendel as stating last week that conservation efforts to double the Malayan tiger population had failed dismally to achieve its target.

In 2009, the tiger population stood at 500. Currently, the number ranges between 250 and 340.

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