Big cats go hungry in Johor

Leaving a mark: A tiger’s paw print was found in Felda Ulu Tebrau in Johor Baru recently.

Lack of prey due to several factors sees a rise in tiger-human conflicts

JOHOR BARU: The impact of the African swine fever (ASF) on wild boars has led to a lack of prey for tigers, resulting in the rise of tiger-human conflicts in Johor.

In the first half of the year alone, there were 15 complaints, up from 10 cases in 2022.The lack of prey has come about due to what is believed to be the decimation of wild boars because of the spread of ASF among the boar population as well as fewer deers.

Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Aminuddin Jamin said the number of reported tiger-human conflict cases had seen a major rise, which is a concern for the department.

“As of June, Perhilitan has received 15 complaints pertaining to tiger-human conflict, which is an increase compared to only 10 complaints throughout 2022.

“Most of the tiger complaints that have happened this year in Johor are around Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Kluang and even Johor Baru,” he told The Star.

Aminuddin said there were several factors why tigers were coming out of the forest to hunt near human settlements. He said that tiger habitats had gotten smaller and more fragmented, resulting in these areas being unable to sustain the tiger prey population.Together with the spread of ASF, this had resulted in limited food sources for tigers, which roam an area of between 20 and 100sq km, he added.

Aminuddin said besides the wild boar, tiger prey species that included various mammals were also dwindling due to poaching activities.

“To control the situation, Perhilitan has implemented a programme to re-introduce prey species to increase the population and increase food stock for tigers and other predators in the forest.

“Surveillance activities and disease sampling against ASF have also been implemented,” he said.

In May, a tiger mauled three cows in Felda Ulu Tebrau, which is about 20km away from the Johor Baru city centre.

It is the first time in 60 years that a tiger made its way to Felda Ulu Tebrau, which is located just 50km away from Panti forest in Kota Tinggi.

Aminuddin said to curb such conflicts, especially those involving livestock, there was a need to put into place good management practices, particularly in sensitive areas close to tigers.

“There are a few cattle breeders, whether companies or individuals, who do not observe good practices in the management of livestock.

“Livestock is allowed to roam freely and not placed in special fenced paddocks.

“This situation provides an opportunity for tigers or other predators to attack the prey easily,” he said, urging farmers to obtain advice from Perhilitan so that preventive measures could be taken.

“Among the mitigation measures and good practices in animal husbandry that should be emphasised is providing cages or paddocks, as well as installing sufficient lighting outside the fence.

“This situation can reduce attacks by wild animals on farm animals,” he said, adding that the department had implemented an awareness programme for farmers and the public in affected areas.

Perhilitan, said Aminuddin, would also carry out a catch and relocation programme if a tiger was found to have wandered away from its natural habitat to avoid unwanted incidents.

“To protect the wild animals, Perhilitan, together with other enforcement agencies, are carrying out Ops Bersepadu Khazanah to fight crimes involving wildlife trade under the Wildlife Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022 (Act A1646),” he said.