Bukit Bangkong May Reopen, Alternative Trails To Stay Closed - Perak Exco

IPOH, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Bukit Bangkong recreational area in Chemor may reopen to the public for hiking via its main trail, provided all alternative routes remain closed and safety measures are strictly observed.

Perak Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim said the proposal followed a meeting on June 10 involving the Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), the Kampung Tanah Hitam Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK), and the police (PDRM).

The meeting also agreed to install wildlife warning signs at the entrance to Bukit Bangkong and advised hikers to begin their climb only after 9 am and leave the area before 5 pm.

"PERHILITAN has no objection to reopening Bukit Bangkong for hiking, provided only the main trail to the summit is accessible and all alternative routes are fully closed.

"However, the Kampung Tanah Hitam JPKK opposed the proposal to reopen the hiking area to the public," he said in a statement today.

Teh said PERHILITAN's monitoring showed Bukit Bangkong remains an active tiger roaming area after camera traps captured different tigers on March 13 and April 20.

“The animals were identified by comparing the unique stripe patterns on both sides of their bodies. They are estimated to be about three years old, with paw prints measuring approximately 12 centimetres.

“The images were captured by two camera traps installed at separate locations - one along an alternative trail to the summit and the other near the peak, “ he said.

PERHILITAN also found tiger footprints, the carcass of a cow believed to have been killed by a tiger, footprints of barking deer and wild boar, and bear claw marks on trees in the area.

Teh said six camera traps remain in operation at three locations identified as active wildlife corridors, while tiger traps continue to be monitored daily or every other day.

Besides tigers, PERHILITAN has also detected sun bears, black panthers, barking deer, junglefowl and wild boar in the area.

He advised the public not to hike or enter orchards in the area alone, avoid the area in the early morning or at night, refrain from provoking wildlife, and slowly back away if they encounter wild animals, stressing that the risk of human-wildlife conflict remains low if PERHILITAN's safety advice is followed.

-- BERNAMA