KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Eight Malayan tiger cubs were born to a single female between 2023 and 2025 under a conservation programme jointly implemented by the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan).
In a statement today, MPOGCF said the births were recorded during its sponsorship of food and health supplements for the female tiger at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) in Sungkai, Perak.
It said the initiative helped improve the health and welfare of the female tiger, thereby supporting ex-situ breeding efforts to increase the population of the critically endangered species.
Since 2021, MPOGCF has provided RM2 million in sponsorship for various Malayan tiger conservation initiatives in collaboration with Perhilitan, including ex-situ breeding programmes, scientific research, development of assisted reproductive technologies and capacity building for department personnel.
“The collaboration was carried out under a Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 12, 2021, which concluded on April 20, with programme activities centred at the NWRC and Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre (MTCC) in Lanchang, Pahang.
“Among the initiatives implemented were the provision of equipment and laboratory upgrades to support ex-situ breeding programmes, hormone and genetic research, development of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), and habitat enrichment,” it said.
MPOGCF said the upgraded laboratory facilities also supported assisted breeding programmes using techniques such as laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI), ovum pick-up (OPU), semen collection and cryopreservation.
It said these capabilities enabled fertility assessments, breeding management, and preservation of Malayan tiger genetic material to be carried out more systematically and based on scientific methods.
The collaboration also included research into Malayan tiger reproductive hormones and genomics in partnership with higher education institutions to enhance understanding of the species’ reproductive biology, genetics and the health of captive populations.
In addition, MPOGCF sponsored international training programmes and workshops for Perhilitan officers in wildlife conservation medicine and reproductive biotechnology, including participation in the International Conference of the Asian Society of Conservation Medicine (ASCM) in Chiang Mai and an ART workshop at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Thailand.
According to MPOGCF, the training provided Perhilitan officers with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills in the latest approaches and technologies for conserving threatened wildlife species, while also facilitating the exchange of expertise and experience with international conservation experts.
Meanwhile, MPOGCF, Perhilitan and FELDA are in the process of finalising a new memorandum of understanding to explore the development of a breeding programme for Malayan tiger prey species, focusing on sambar deer, mouse-deer and Malayan porcupines.
“The proposal also has the potential to involve selected livestock farmers within the FELDA community by combining Perhilitan’s technical expertise in species management and conservation with the participation of local communities and farmers.
“The initiative takes into account the importance of prey availability as a key ecosystem component supporting the survival of the Malayan tiger population in its natural habitat,” the statement said.
-- BERNAMA