Tigers threaten another Orang Asli school in Gua Musang

 

Another Orang Asli school in Gua Musang, Kelantan is facing a tiger threat.

Two tigers have reportedly been spotted at the perimeter fence of the SK Balar dormitory, causing concerns among students and locals.

A photo of one of the tigers lounging outside the fence was posted by teacher Muhammad Syibli on Facebook yesterday.

"A Malayan tiger has come to visit SK Balar. Pray that we are always protected by God," he said.

Previously, it was reported that an Orang Asli school in Gua Musang, SK Bihai, had been closed due to a tiger threat.

SK Bihai is some 11km through the dense jungle from SK Balar.

The Kelantan Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) said it is keeping a close eye on the movement of several tigers in Gua Musang that may be threatening the locals.

"We have received information regarding the presence of tigers at SK Balar. Inspections and monitoring of the tigers' movement are underway," Kelantan Perhilitan director Mohamad Hafid Rohani told Malaysiakini.

"We have also set up three camera traps in Pos Bihai and operations are underway to catch the tiger there," he added.

Last week, an Orang Asli man was mauled to death by a tiger in Kampung Sau, near Pos Bihai.

The victim, Anek Along, was said to be threshing rice with his daughter behind their home when he was attacked.

Not long after, SK Bihai was closed down for an undisclosed period, with students learning from home instead.

Once densely forested, the interior of Gua Musang has been the site of major deforestation due to agriculture and logging activities over the past several years, all of which posed a threat to both local wildlife and the Orang Asli communities.

The proposed Nenggiri hydroelectric dam project in Gua Musang also poses another ecological threat that locals said would displace several Orang Asli communities. - Mkini