Malayan Tiger Dies From 8 Bullet Shots Fired By Poachers

Malayan tiger dies from 8 shots fired by poachers

The Malayan tiger is our country’s national animal – you can see it on Malaysia’s Coat of Arms, and the logos of our national football team and Maybank, a local bank. The animal’s importance also stems from the fact that they’re a critically endangered species, according to the World Wide Fund (WWF), with less than 200 left alive and a likely chance of extinction.

So when a Malayan tiger, Awang Rasau, sustaining bullet shots by poachers in Terengganu was rescued by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Jabatan PERHILITAN Semenanjung Malaysia), we were all upset and relieved. But while initial reports by Jabatan PERHILITAN shared that Awang Rasau was showing signs of recovery despite paralysis to its back legs from bullet shots several days after its rescue, the endangered tiger was pronounced dead on 5th March.

Initial signs of recovery for Awang Rasau after rescue

An operation to rescue an injured male Malayan tiger, with bullet wounds to its hind leg, was carried out on 22nd February in Kemaman, Terengganu. In a Facebook post, Jabatan PERHILITAN announced that they had successfully captured the tiger, and had moved it to the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (Pusat Menyelamat Hidupan Liar Kebangsaan) in Perak to be treated.

Image credit: Jabatan PERHILITAN Semenanjung Malaysia

It is believed that Awang Rasau was injured by poachers in the area. Poaching is currently the leading cause of endangerment to Malayan tigers, as well as other wildlife, in Malaysia. This is due to Malayan tigers being considered the 3rd hottest commodity for trafficking – the first 2 being drugs and weapons – that fetches high prices, as reported by WWF.

Image credit: Jabatan PERHILITAN Semenanjung Malaysia

2 days after the rescue, Jabatan PERHILITAN uploaded a video to Facebook to share updates on the endangered Malayan tiger’s condition. According to it, Awang Rasau was showing positive signs of recovery, such as improved appetite and movement. However, its hind legs remained paralysed from the bullet shots it sustained.

While it was initially reported that Awang Rasau had 3 bullet wounds, an X-ray shot showed that the tiger had sustained 5 bullet shots on various parts of its body.

Image credit: Jabatan PERHILITAN Semenanjung Malaysia

Malayan tiger dies from its injuries on 5th March

Despite the best efforts of the team involved in getting Awang Rasau back to full health and returning it to the wild, the Malayan tiger was pronounced dead at Hospital Veterinar, Fakulti Perubatan Veterinar, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) on 5th March, 2 weeks after its rescue.

Image credit: Jabatan PERHILITAN Semenanjung Malaysia

Causes for the Malayan tiger’s death was due to infection from the bullet wounds it sustained and nerve complications, as the tiger’s health had been slowly deteriorating 2 days before due to its injuries, as shared by Jabatan PERHILITAN in another Facebook post.

Jabatan PERHILITAN also said that several more bullets were found in its lungs, central nervous system and legs, which severely affected the tiger’s health and caused it to be paralysed from its mid-section down to its hind legs. In total, the tiger sustained 8 bullet shots.

Netizens share their condolences for Awang Rasau’s passing

Many have taken to Jabatan PERHILITAN’s Facebook post announcing the death of Awang Rasau to share their thoughts on the Malayan tiger’s death days after its rescue. Several wanted justice for the tiger’s death, with netizen Ayoh Teh commenting, “I hope the authorities, including PERHILITAN, can track down those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Image adapted from: Ayoh Teh

Others commended PERHILITAN for rescuing the Malayan tiger, but urged for more conservation efforts. Facebook user Noorfaizal Ma’on commented that this should be done so we don’t see an extinction of the Malayan tiger as the Sumatran rhino species did in Malaysia after the last animal of its species died back in November 2019.

Image adapted from: Noorfaizal Ma’on

Awang Rasau, a Malayan tiger, dies from bullet shots by poachers

It’s never easy to see animals get hurt – whether it’s our furkids or wildlife, such as this monitor lizard who got its head stuck in a tin can and this recent case of a Malayan tiger sustaining 8 bullet shots to its body by poachers.

We are reminded once again, as Malaysians, to do our parts in extending care and concern to our wildlife to protect our country’s treasures, such as the treasured Malayan tiger and its species that’s at risk of extinction.

Learn more tiger facts here: