Monday May 24, 2010
Saddened by a series of 'not so good news' about Tigers
I REFER to “Uproar over abused tiger claim” (The Star, May 22). Lately, there has been a series of “not so good news” about our tigers. The Year of the Tiger kicked off with a video footage shown on British national news in February of poachers in Malaysia who gloated over the carcass of a Malayan Tiger.
Then, a tiger was brutally slain by some orang asli in Bukit Tapah Forest Reserve in Sungkai, Perak. Now, this video depicts a tiger sedated and used for photography sessions with visitors to a local animal park. When I first viewed the video in early May, I was totally appalled to say the least. What more awaits our Big Cats?
It is heart-wrenching to see the manner the tiger is handled in the video; its head being pushed, whiskers pulled and its head/body just lying limp like a toy. This is definitely not “extra coaxing” as stated in the report. There is another term for it, and it is called “abuse”.
It is evident from the video that the tiger is sedated and not “very tame and comfortable around humans” as claimed.
It is sad to see a majestic creature being treated in such an inhumane manner. What is the point of increasing or doubling the number of Malayan Tigers when we can't even take care of the existing ones?
The tiger, which is supposed to be the nation's pride as it is represented on Malaysia's coat of arms, should be treated with greater dignity.
There are only about 500 tigers left in Malaysia. If this state of affairs continues, it won't be long before they become extinct.
Animals are not meant to entertain humans. Those who are depicted in the video taking pictures with the poor tiger should be ashamed of themselves.
CAROLINE VIMLA,
Kuala Lumpur.
1 comment:
Dear Teacher,
I am happy to know that you have wrote this article and it was published in THE STAR newspaper and I do hope that many Malaysians will realize the importance of protecting our wildlife in our country,
Love,
Esther Liew.
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