'YOB KINDING' HAS POTENTIAL TO BE USED AS BREEDING STOCK - PERHILITAN

IPOH, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- The two-year-old male tiger captured in Bukit Kinding on Jan 11 has the potential to be used as a breeding stock in an effort to conserve the species, scientifically known as Panthera Tigris Jacksoni, from extinction.

Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) director Yusoff Shariff said the predator named 'Yob Kinding' is currently housed for monitoring and further treatment at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) in Sungkai.

“A male tiger usually reaches sexual maturity at the age of five. This is among the suitable age ranges for these predatory animals to be used as breeding stock.

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"However, further processes or other indicators regarding the reproductive potential of Yob Kinding will be examined by the NWRC," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

On Jan 11, Yob Kinding, with an estimated weight of 75 kilogrammes (kg), was captured after entering a trap set by the Perak Perhilitan in a durian orchard in the Bukit Kinding area.

A video before the capture also went viral on social media, showing the tense moments when members of the Malayan Tiger Conservation Unit (UKHM) in Perak encountered the predator while conducting monitoring operations at the location.

Meanwhile, reviewing the latest developments of Yob Kinding, Yusoff said the tiger has been undergoing continuous treatment and monitoring since being transferred to NWRC in Sungkai on Jan 11.

"Continuous monitoring will be carried out comprehensively to assess and ensure the tiger's health levels are in good condition," he added.

-- BERNAMA