Hear the roar: Perak launches tiger protection, eco-tourism campaign

IPOH: Perak has launched the “Roar of Legacy” campaign aimed at protecting the critically endangered Malayan tiger while promoting eco-tourism awareness.

Tourism Perak Management Berhad and the World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) signed a memorandum of understanding to initiate the campaign on Monday (March 3).

State tourism, industry, investment and corridor development committee chairman Loh Sze Yee said the initiative is a long-term commitment to strengthening eco-tourism and conservation efforts.

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He said eco-tourism is a key segment of Perak’s tourism industry, especially with the preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

He cited the state’s abundant natural wealth, including the 130-million-year-old Royal Belum tropical rainforests that serve as habitats and shelters for endangered species such as the Indian elephant, white-handed gibbon, Malayan sun bear, tapir and Malayan tiger.

“The preservation of these natural assets is our shared responsibility, and also presents a great opportunity to enhance Perak’s tourism sector by introducing more sustainable and high-quality tourism products,” he said in his speech before the MOU signing at the Tourism Perak office here.

“The Roar of Legacy campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of Malayan tiger conservation and its ecosystem.

“We are not only focusing on conservation efforts but also exploring how conservation elements can be integrated with tourism development.

“Key steps include introducing conservation-based tourism programmes, expanding environmental education activities, and promoting responsible tourism practices among tourists and industry players,” he said.

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Tourism Perak chief executive officer Nurmalis Musa and WWF-Malaysia interim chief executive officer Nik Izuan Nik Mohammed signed the MoU, witnessed by Loh.

Also present was WWF-Malaysia’s Roar of Legacy campaign co-advisor Datuk Gan Tack Kong, and Perak State Park Corporation interim director Lau Ching Fong.

Loh added that recent statistics showed fewer than 150 Malayan tigers remained in the wild, making them one of the most endangered species in the world.

He said poaching, habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflicts have put great pressure on the tiger population, and efforts through this collaboration are crucial in ensuring the survival of this national treasure.

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“We hope this collaboration will (see) more programmes and initiatives introduced.

“Our goal is not only to increase the Malayan tiger population but also to ensure that its surrounding ecosystem remains well-protected,” he added.

Lau said that since 2016, a total of 238 active snare traps set by poachers have been destroyed in the Royal Belum forest.

He said the dedication of the Stampede anti-poaching team, consisting mainly of Orang Asli, and the placement of cameras led to no snares at all being detected last year.

“With the team of just over 100 patrolling, and collaboration with several government agencies and WWF-Malaysia, the level of poaching activities is under control,” he said.

Lau said poachers would typically set snares not just to catch elephants and tigers but smaller animals such as wild fowl as well.

“During the poaching crisis from 2016 to 2017, however, the traps set for large animals, including the Malayan tiger,” he added.