Highway accident cost the lives of ‘three’ tigers
The road accident cannot be simply regarded as an unfortunate incident but a direct result of human encroachment that resulted in the destabilisation of wildlife habitats.
By P Ramasamy
If not for the tragic accident that killed the two-month pregnant tigress on Friday morning along the East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2), we would have three tigers – one mother and her two cubs -roaming the jungles of Peninsular Malaysia in a matter of months.
The death of the tigress is tragic because it belonged to a protected species that is dwindling in number.
Illegal poaching and commercialisation of jungle land have reduced the natural habitat of tigers and other such wildlife with unimaginable consequences.
Hence tigers or other wild animals crossing highways and meeting horrific accidents are not simply unfortunate incidents but the direct result of human encroachment that has resulted in the destabilisation of their habitats.
The driver and his family who escaped injuries could only express sadness at what happened. We are not sure whether he will be prosecuted for speeding or ignoring road signs.
Even if there are laws to prosecute the driver, such laws would never be enforced simply because the lives of animals are not accorded the importance they should and the case will likely be dismissed.
Just imagine the number of gun licences that have been issued to landowners to protect their property from these very animals. However, those with gun licences have probably killed more wild animals for fun rather than for protecting their property.
The death of the tigress and its two babies cannot be dismissed as a mere tragic accident by the Terengganu Wildlife and Natural Parks Department (Perhilitan).
It is plainly obvious that the department has done nothing to address the problem of wild animals crossing along this particular stretch or other places.
How many others will be sacrificed in the name of development before the wildlife department does something useful?
While we do not expect miracles, it is a known fact that the problem has been addressed successfully in other countries.
We do not want to reach a point in history where protected species are only found sedated in zoos or preserved as carcasses in museums.
We must avoid the ironic situation where our grandchildren and great grandchildren have to travel to zoos in developed countries to catch a glimpse of a tiger when these magnificent creatures used to roam freely in the jungles of Malaysia once.
Let us correct some basic facts about the tragic accident. It was not one tiger but three that were tragically killed – the mother and her two unborn babies.
If there had been fencing erected and animal crossings made available, just imagine that in only a matter of months, we would have had one proud mother roaming the jungles with her two wonderful and vibrant cubs.
The Malaysian public, especially those concerned about animal welfare, are expecting the wildlife department to churn out workable strategies to protect animal sanctuaries and ensure that proper safety measures are in place to ensure the survival and growth of the animal population, especially the protected species.
Let us not live in the past when we once considered nature provided infinite possibilities for development.
We also have to move away from the archaic argument that the lives of animals are secondary to that of humans.
P Ramasamy is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang.
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