Animal Extinction in Malaysia

 by: Nia Amira Najwa binti Azmi

Malaysian awareness of endangered wildlife is still low because they do not think as developed countries. However, what is sad is that human greed for exploring and pursuing development has left these animals in grave danger.

Malaysia is rich country in natural resources because there are many different species of flora and fauna that are constantly circulating in their natural habitat. 

Many people may not be aware that animals in Malaysia are now in serious danger of extinction. World Bank data shows 70 of the 336 endangered species in Malaysia were recorded in 2014 and made it the seventh highest in the world.

In Southeast Asia, Malaysia ranks second after Indonesia when it has 184 endangered species.

According to Malaysian Animal Association President Arie Dwi Andika, sympathy is not enough if the top leaders do not seriously care about wildlife conservation in the country.

"It is not enough for the people to express sympathy without engaging in the above leadership because we find that if our leaders are serious, sympathetic to the life of this endangered animal, they must be aware of and value the logging, the poaching that we consider to be rampant.”

The Malaya Tiger (Panthera tigris malayensis / Panthera tigris jacksoni) or known as the Belang Tiger refers to a sub-species of tiger that only exists in Peninsular Malaysia. The main areas are Endau-Rompin National Park and yet Temenggor National Park.

Orang Utan is two species of Hominidae that live in Southeast Asia, mainly in Sumatra and Borneo. Orang utan are among the smartest animals in the world, they can use a variety of complex tools and build nests using wood and leaves. They can understand human languages ​​and can use sign language even though they cannot speak.

Tenuk Malaysia (Tapirus indicus), is the world's largest and only species of tenuk is native to Asia. The number of tapirs decreases due to various factors, including the original habitat being destroyed for development purposes, thus disrupting the reproduction process and ultimately contributing to extinction. Only about 350 tapir are still alive today.

I hope that all parties, especially the government and the public, can improve cooperation to reduce the risk of wildlife eradication in Malaysia so that it can be enjoyed by future generations.