A recent study conducted by conservation organizations Panthera and ZSL, in collaboration with Malaysia's Sunway University, has shed light on the role of commercial fishing fleets in trafficking parts of illegally poached Malayan Tigers. The study revealed that fishing boats are being utilized as part of a sophisticated network of routes to transport poached animal parts, including tigers, to Vietnam.
Interviews with individuals involved in these operations uncovered that fishing boats offer advantages such as the ability to carry larger consignments at a lower cost and with a lower risk of customs inspections compared to land or air routes.
With the Malayan Tiger population dwindling to an estimated 150 cats in Malaysia, the study emphasized the urgent need for intervention to combat poaching, which poses a significant threat to the survival of these critically endangered animals.
Aside from poaching, tigers are also facing habitat loss due to deforestation and are vulnerable to diseases like canine distemper virus. Furthermore, their food source, wild boars, has been decimated by the African swine fever virus.
The study highlighted the significant role of Vietnamese poaching teams, particularly from the province of Quang Binh, in targeting tigers in Malaysia. These poachers employ bushcraft skills to live in the forests for extended periods, using steel snares to capture tigers and other wildlife.
Once killed, tigers are processed for their bones, which are boiled down to a gelatinous substance for medicinal purposes, while claws and teeth are used for making amulets. The study also revealed that fishing boats were used to traffic a variety of wildlife products, including bear paws, pangolins, and monitor lizards.
As authorities in Malaysia and Vietnam ramp up maritime controls to combat trafficking, the study recommended targeting potential poachers in their home villages to dissuade them from engaging in illegal activities. The researchers emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach that includes behavioral change interventions alongside law enforcement efforts.
While progress has been made in catching poachers and increasing penalties for wildlife crimes, the study underscored the importance of addressing the root causes of poaching to effectively protect endangered species like the Malayan Tiger.
