Malaysia seeks to reverse collapse of tiger population due to poaching, logging, palm oil

Mongabay.com

23 Dec 2008 Asia

A new law seeks to double Malaysia’s tiger population to 1,000 by 2020, reports BBC News.

The National Tiger Action Plan calls for protective measures and the establishment of forest corridors between habitats. It will support scientific research on tigers and re-locate tigers in conflict with humans.

Despite having protected status since the early 1970s, Malaysia’s tiger populations have plunged from 3,000 to 500 in the past three decades due to poaching for their meat and body parts; over-hunting of their prey; and loss of habitat caused by logging and conversion of forest land to oil palm plantations.

Conservationists have long criticized Malaysia’s wildlife laws which they say are poorly enforced.

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