Deforested area good for tigers? Look at practical aspect too - MNS

The claim that deforested areas may be good for tigers should be looked at from a practical angle, said Malaysian Nature Society president Ahmad Ismail.

"It might be theoretically acceptable to say that when dense forests are cleared, it would create an area where new trees can grow and this would benefit herbivores.

"However, we must also see whether the forest floor is also cleared or otherwise. There are many basic ecological factors that we need to look at. This thing has been taught maybe in the school syllabus.

"Practically, we have to look at the size of the forest that we have for the tiger's habitat. Is it big enough for them to run away from logging areas when logging activities are carried out?

"Tigers are not human-friendly animals. They will run far far away from areas where there are human activities. But if the area is not big enough, it might cause a conflict between them and humans," he said.

Malaysiakini contacted Ahmad, who is also head of Universiti Putra Malaysia's Biology Department, for comments on a claim that deforested areas are good for the tiger population.

Yesterday, Kelantan Forestry Department director Abdul Khalim Abu Samah said after an area is deforested, new vegetation will grow which will encourage the presence of new animal species that serve as food to tigers.

"The tiger population will become larger when small trees grow in the deforested area. The area will see the presence of animals such as mousedeer which are food for tigers.

"It will be easier for tigers to hunt their prey," Khalim had said. - Mkini