Endangered wildlife conservation in Malaysia

In Malaysia, just like elsewhere the modern world, many species of wildlife are disappearing fast, and conservation measures are needed to prevent animals and plants from vanishing for good.

Habitat destruction is a main part of the problem but many animals are being killed and taken by hunters and poachers too. Many rare animals are hunted for food and even for sport. Some are caught alive and then sold on to collectors. One of the saddest and sickest reasons that animals are hunted is because of the crazy supernatural belief that parts of their bodies, such as rhino horn, have magic properties.

The World Conservation Union has stated that 14% of mammals in Malaysia are facing extinction unless something is done fast to halt their decline in numbers.

Three large mammal species that fall within this category are the Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), the Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) and the Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus).

In Borneo it is believed that there are no more than 20 specimens of the Sumatran Rhino, and only 200 are still alive anywhere.

The Malayan Tapir used to live in the rainforests of many places in Southeast Asia, and is still found in Myanmar (formerly Burma), Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, but its numbers have been dropping rapidly and the species is listed as endangered.

The Malayan Tiger, which also has the scientific name Panthera tigris malayensis , is on the endangered species list too, although sadly all types of this very beautiful great cat are now in danger as well. Many of those alive are confined to zoos.

A big part of why wildlife is in danger is because for many people conservation takes second place to the welfare of human beings. People do not realise that all animal and plants species have vital roles to play in the ecosystem. Destroy one species and a link in the chain of the ecosystem is broken and new problems can be created. For example, it has been shown in research studies that where tigers have vanished from the environment wild pigs have become very numerous because one of their main predators has gone.

Because of this education is a vital part of the solution and the public have to be taught that all living things have important roles to play in the natural world. Fortunately, many individuals and organisations are stepping forward with ideas and projects to help conserve the environment and the flora and fauna that depend on it.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has collaborated with the Johor State government on a project which aims to increase the population of Malaysian Tigers by as much as 50% over the course of the next decade. The WCS has also produced the Teachers for Tigers educational tool-kit manual. This has been especially tailored for use in the rural communities.

Again on the subject of the conservation of Malayan Tigers, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently staged a public event in Kuala Lumpur in which protesters pretended to drop dead, and in so doing, called attention to the threat to the tigers.

Eco-tourism is also helping conservation. The mountains, jungles and beaches of Malaysia have made this area of the world the most popular destination for tourists in Southern Asia. Many of these people take a delight in observing nature in the raw and wondering at its incredible beauties. This means that even on a financial level it is important for Malaysia to look after its natural habitats or the eco-tourists will have no reason to want to go there.

Copyright © 2010 Steve Andrews. All Rights Reserved.