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MYCAT Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers - Introduction |
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Photo credit:
Chris R. Shepherd/TRAFFIC Southeast Asia |
05-10-2006
The Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) is a joint programme of the Malaysian Nature Society, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-Malaysia Programme, and WWF-Malaysia. MYCAT works in partnership with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia for integrated tiger conservation programmes in Malaysia. MYCAT is the collaborative platform for the implementation of the Malaysian Tiger Action Plan.
In the last 100 years, 93% of the tiger’s original habitat has been lost. This might mean the point of no return for this top predator is now. Tigers are threatened by habitat loss, forest fragmentation, poaching, illegal trade of their parts and derivatives, depletion of prey species, retaliatory killings and removal by the authorities as a result of human-tiger conflict, incidental killings due to snares set for other wildlife, and lack of public awareness and support. Challenges to tiger conservation are multi-faceted and reaching solutions requires an integrated conservation approach, which is why MYCAT was established in 2003.
MYCAT’s role is to increase communication and opportunities for collaboration among the partners whose tiger conservation priorities include habitat protection, human-tiger conflict resolution, law enforcement, monitoring of illegal trade, research, education and public awareness.
MYCAT partners:
· Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
· TRAFFIC Southeast Asia (TSEA)
· The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
· WWF-Malaysia
Supported by:
· Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (DWNP)
CONSERVING THE MALAYAN TIGER - A JOINT PIONEERING EFFORT
The government and non-governmental organizations in Malaysia unite to save the nation’s definitive symbol of independence, strength, beauty and wilderness - the tiger.
Tiger populations worldwide are in trouble, and unless something is done urgently, we may just see the demise of this powerful predator that has been made so vulnerable at the hands of man within our lifetimes.
Tigers inhabit varying ecosystems, from thick rainforests to forests covered in heavy snow, but all face similar threats; habitat loss and fragmentation, depletion of prey species, poaching and retaliatory killings.
“As forests are cleared for agriculture, highways and other developmental projects, tigers frequently find themselves in isolated fragments of forest, which means they do not have much needed large, contiguous blocks of forest to inhabit,” explains MNS Executive Director Dr Loh Chi Leong.
“Habitat fragmentation can cause serious consequences.”
Once a large population is broken into smaller sub-populations of a few individuals, these become more vulnerable to unexpected random events such as skewed birth rates, epidemics, and natural disasters. Habitat fragmentation also increases the chance of tigers coming into contact, and thus, conflict, with humans. As an example, free-ranging livestock near, or inside, the forest are taken by tigers as prey, which results in the problem tigers being removed and translocated to zoos, or killed. This is how a small population gets smaller, and one day, disappears.
“Poaching and trade of tigers is also a great threat to the continued survival of all tiger sub-species,” says TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s senior programme officer Chris R. Shepherd.
Almost every body part of the tiger is believed to have some curative or aphrodisiacal powers; especially valuable are its bones. Tiger meat is served in exotic meat restaurants. Other body parts such as its teeth, claws and skin are sought after as trophies, magic and collectible items.
“Increased enforcement efforts and stricter penalties are required to crack down on this crime. Wildlife crime in general needs to become a greater priority here, and throughout all of the tiger’s range,” says Shepherd, adding that appropriate penalties should be given to those involved in the killing or trade of tigers, including their parts and derivatives, to act as an effective deterrent.
Threats to species such as the tiger, that inhabit expansive ranges encompassing various land use types, are often far too great to be effectively addressed by any one organization. This is why the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (DWNP) initiated the formation of the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) in 2003. MYCAT was created to take a holistic approach to conservation by consolidating the resources and strength of the partners to produce a cohesive plan to save the tiger.
Landmark endeavour
Partnerships in conservation are nothing new, but this alliance is unique because the lead was taken by the government in the fight to save the tiger. It is the government’s pioneer effort in encouraging collaboration to achieve common goals of tiger conservation.
“There is a clear need for a long-term focused approach towards conservation, and MYCAT represents a step forward in that direction,” says DWNP Deputy Director General (Conservation) Abdul Rashid Samsudin.
The hope is that institutional boundaries that hinder effective communication and the implementation of sound conservation plans will be surpassed.
“To embark on the unified goal of the conservation of the Malayan tiger, a stronger partnership among a greater number of stakeholders from the Federal and State governments and from NGOs was needed,” says DWNP Institute of Biodiversity Director Dr Sivananthan Elagupillay
Dr Kae Kawanishi, MYCAT Secretariat, feels privileged to be a part of the Malaysian government’s visionary conservation initiative.
“The formation of MYCAT shows Malaysia's commitment to tiger conservation. I don't know of any other tiger-range country where the government takes the initiative for partnership with all the citizen groups locally involved in tiger conservation in such an open manner,” she says.
Holistic approach
All tiger conservation projects in Peninsular Malaysia are managed by MYCAT partners, and more continue to be developed. DWNP addresses multiple facets of tiger conservation, from conflict resolution, law enforcement and habitat protection to research. The scope of each NGO partner is highly specialized according to its expertise and priority. Some focus on environmental education whilst others on monitoring wildlife trade issues. Others concentrate on public awareness. All are components of the big picture of saving the tiger.
Aside from providing a platform for information exchange and collaboration, MYCAT’s other objectives are to conduct scientific research relevant to tiger conservation, protect natural habitat, mitigate human-tiger conflict, eradicate poaching and trade of tigers and their parts and derivatives, increase awareness, engage the public, relevant organizations and stakeholders, and design the roadmap for tiger conservation.
The benefits of partnership
Having a working alliance means that more innovative solutions to problems are provided, by combining a variety of experiences and perspectives of the partners. It increases efficiency by reducing duplicity of effort as well as public confidence levels in conservation organizations. Collectively, it provides more information to DWNP for an effective enforcement of laws protecting tigers and other wildlife in Malaysia and builds a framework for a long-term collaboration based on inter-organizational understanding and support through open communication.
At the apex of the food chain, top predators such as tigers often keep the balance of nature. It’s often said that a healthy tiger population is an indicator of ecosystem health. A healthy ecosystem is a life support for humans, too.
Two regal tigers currently flank the Malaysian crest, symbolizing the strength, independence and beauty of Malaysia. If the tiger is lost in the wild, what would that mean to the nation?
Acknowledgements
Thanks to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Save the Tiger Fund, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 21st Century Tiger, and all MYCAT partners for contributing institutionally and financially towards the operations of the MYCAT Secretariat’s Office.
Talking tigers:
Interested in learning more about tigers? Keen on finding out more about global tiger conservation efforts as well as what is happening on the local scene? Then join the MYCAT e-group, where you will also receive updates on MYCAT activities and projects. Find out what you can do to help save the Malayan tiger.
Sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/malaysian_cat
or contact mycat@wildlife.gov.my
- MYCAT Wallpaper for your computer
- MYCAT e-cards for your family and friends
- ARTICLES AND NEWS
CONTACT details
MYCAT Secretariat’s Office (MYCAT-SO)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia
KM10 Jalan Cheras 56100 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Tel: ++6 (03) 9075 2872 ext 140
Fax: ++6 (03) 9075 2873
Email: malaysian_cat2003@yahoo.com / mycat@wildlife.gov.my
MYCAT e-group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/malaysian_cat/
MYCAT Website: http://www.malayantiger.net/
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