TAIPING: Three Malayan tiger cubs born at the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari here on April 12 have been given the names Puntum, Teja and Bayu.
This was announced during the national-level Elephant and Tiger Conservation Day celebration held at the zoo today.
Present was Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
The names of a male and two female cubs were chosen from the results of a naming competition organised by the zoo in conjunction with Global Tiger Day celebrated on July 29.
Shamsul Anuar in his speech said the ministry through Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) has carried out a campaign to save Malayan tigers on an ongoing basis in an effort to increase the population of the endangered species.
He said according to a study, the population of Malayan Tigers, known by their scientific name Panthera Tigris Jacksoni, was below 200 while the population of wild elephants in the peninsula is estimated to be less than 1,100.
Shamsul Anuar said among the factors that contributed to the decrease in the number of Malayan tigers and elephants were loss of habitat due to deforestation and changes in land use, poaching as well as illegal trade. - Bernama
