Conservation Of Malayan Tigers Enhanced Through Natural Breeding, Ecosystem Care

KOTA BHARU, Nov 8  (Bernama) -- Research on the behaviour and reproduction of Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) in captivity aims not only to increase the species’ population but also to help maintain the balance of the natural ecosystem, said the Deputy Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Associate Professor Dr Choong Siew Shean. 

She said the research, conducted together with final-year project students, focuses on two main groups of tigers: those born and raised entirely in captivity, and those recently captured from the wild due to human-wildlife conflict.

“We observed clear behavioural differences between the two groups. Tigers born in captivity tend to be more docile and approachable, whereas those newly captured from the wild remain aggressive and easily stressed when encountering humans,” she told Bernama recently.

According to Choong, the study also examines the biological cycles and natural behaviours of the tigers during the mating period to enhance natural reproduction, without relying on assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination.

“Natural breeding is preferable because it allows tigers to express their instincts and natural behaviours. Tigers are solitary animals...if they are kept together for too long, they may become too familiar and lose interest in mating. We only bring them together when the timing is right,” she said.

Choong said among the main challenges in tiger conservation efforts include habitat loss due to logging, agriculture and infrastructure development, such as highways that fragment the animals’ natural range.

"Male tigers have larger territories and overlap with several female territories. But as the forest gets smaller, the chances of meeting a partner are getting slimmer. On top of that, poaching and wire snares remain serious threats,” she said.

She added that although the tiger population in Malaysia was once thought to be the same as the Indochinese Tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), genetic studies have confirmed that the Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) is a distinct and critically endangered subspecies,  making it a prime target for poachers due to its high value on the black market.

“Every part of the Malayan Tiger’s body, from its head and teeth to its skin, fetches a high price on the black market,” he said.

At the same time, UMK is expanding its conservation initiatives through a project to breed sambar deer as a natural food source for tigers in the wild.

“We recently received a grant from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and are collaborating with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) to breed sambar deer. Previously, we kept eastern deer, but since they are not native, their conservation value is lower,” she said.

Choong said sambar deer are crucial because they are one of the main prey species for tigers.

“When deer numbers decline, the entire food chain is affected,” she added.

She said the outbreak of African Swine Fever, which has reduced wild boar populations, further impacts the ecosystem, as wild boars are also a key food source for large predators like tigers.

“When the food chain at the lower level is disrupted, such as when deer and wild boar decline, the disruption cascades up the food chain. Tigers, as a keystone species, depend on the balance maintained at the lower levels of the ecosystem,” she said.

She said the deer breeding project at UMK Bachok has begun with 10 deer in its first phase, focusing on conservation rather than profit.

“This project is primarily for teaching and learning purposes. The cost of caring for a deer is high, so we are not approaching it from a commercial standpoint. Once the population reaches a sustainable level, PERHILITAN will implement a release plan to help restore ecological balance,” she said.

Touching on the potential for human-tiger conflict, Choong explained that tigers do not naturally attack humans unless they feel threatened or face a shortage of food sources.

“If a tiger attacks a human, it knows the consequences are serious. Normally, it avoids human contact unless there is a direct threat or a very close opportunity. The cases we hear of are rare... sometimes a tiger may attack but not even eat its victim,” she said.

Choong said efforts to protect the Malayan Tiger must go hand in hand with raising public awareness about the importance of valuing and preserving natural resources.

“I think starting with small actions, such as not wasting food and appreciating water resources, can help nurture a love for nature. When we learn to value these things at home, over time, we will also develop an affection for the forests and the animals that live within them. Everything is interconnected,” she said.

She added that although urban dwellers may not directly see the benefits of forests, the ecosystem plays a crucial role in providing clean air and water that sustain human life.

“Sometimes we take life for granted, thinking that food and other necessities are endless... but in truth, everything comes from nature. If we learn to love nature from a young age, we will grow to appreciate life more deeply, including the lives of tigers we may have never even seen,” she said.

-- BERNAMA