Malaysia’s tigers in crisis due to poachers, habitat loss – South China Morning Post

Report on the Critically Endangered Malayan Tiger and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary: Biodiversity Under Threat

The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni), Malaysia’s national animal, is facing imminent extinction, a situation that directly contravenes the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15: Life on Land. The population has plummeted from an estimated 3,000 in the 1950s to fewer than 150 individuals today. This report analyzes the primary drivers of this decline and evaluates national conservation efforts within the framework of the SDGs.

2.0 Primary Threats to Survival and SDG 15

The decline of the Malayan tiger is a critical indicator of the failure to meet SDG Target 15.5, which calls for urgent action to halt biodiversity loss and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The key threats are:

• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: This illicit activity directly undermines SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by perpetuating transnational crime. It is also linked to unsustainable consumption patterns, conflicting with the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• Habitat and Prey Depletion: The diminishing habitat and loss of food sources represent a severe degradation of terrestrial ecosystems, which SDG 15 aims to protect and restore.

3.0 Infrastructure Development and Human-Wildlife Conflict

The recent death of a monitored tigress named “Bulan” in a traffic accident highlights a critical conflict between national development and conservation goals. This incident underscores a misalignment between infrastructure projects and environmental sustainability.

1. Lack of Sustainable Infrastructure: The East-West Highway, where the incident occurred, exemplifies infrastructure that fails to integrate wildlife protection measures. This challenges the principles of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which call for resilient and sustainable development that minimizes adverse environmental impacts.
2. Impact on SDG 15: Such incidents cause direct mortality and fragment critical habitats, further jeopardizing the viability of the tiger population and hindering progress on SDG 15.

4.0 National Response and Institutional Capacity

The Malaysian government has announced enhanced measures to combat wildlife crime, reflecting an effort to strengthen institutional capacity in line with SDG 16.

• Technological Integration: The deployment of AI-enabled camera traps and advanced smuggling detection methods are positive steps.
• Resource Deficiencies: Officials acknowledge that resources are insufficient for the scale of the crisis. This resource gap presents a significant barrier to achieving the targets set forth in both SDG 15 and SDG 16 and highlights the need for stronger multi-stakeholder collaborations as envisioned in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary SDG addressed in the article is:

• SDG 15: Life on Land – This goal is directly relevant as the article focuses on the protection of a terrestrial animal (the Malayan tiger), the threats it faces from poaching and habitat loss, and conservation efforts. The dwindling tiger population, from 3,000 to less than 150, is a clear issue related to protecting life on land.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following specific targets under SDG 15 can be identified:

1. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • Explanation: The article explicitly states that the Malayan tiger is “listed as critically endangered” and its population has been “slashed…to less than 150.” This directly relates to the need to protect and prevent the extinction of a threatened species. The mention of “diminishing habitat” also points to the degradation of natural habitats.
2. Target 15.7: Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.
   • Explanation: The article identifies “poaching” as a primary reason for the tiger population’s decline. The government’s response, including “ramping up efforts to combat wildlife crime” and using “methods to detect smuggling at airports,” directly addresses the need to end poaching and trafficking of this protected species.
3. Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.
   • Explanation: The death of the tiger “Bulan” in a “fatal traffic accident” on a highway “notorious for animal traffic incidents” implies a conflict between infrastructure development (the highway) and wildlife conservation. This highlights a failure to fully integrate biodiversity values into development planning to prevent such incidents.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

1. For Target 15.5:
   • Indicator: The conservation status of the species. The article states the tiger is “listed as critically endangered,” which corresponds to the Red List Index (Indicator 15.5.1).
   • Indicator: Population numbers of the species. The article provides a clear metric of decline, from “3,000 in the 1950s to less than 150 roaming free today.” Tracking this number would be a direct indicator of progress.
2. For Target 15.7:
   • Indicator: Prevalence of poaching and wildlife crime. While no specific numbers are given, the article identifies “poaching” and “smuggling” as key problems. Measuring the number of poaching incidents or seizures of illegal wildlife products would be an indicator. The government’s introduction of “AI-enabled camera traps” is a tool that could be used to gather data for this indicator.
3. For Target 15.9:
   • Indicator: Number of animal-vehicle collisions. The article highlights a “fatal traffic accident” on a highway “notorious for animal traffic incidents.” A reduction in the number of such incidents would indicate better integration of biodiversity considerations into infrastructure planning.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: scmp.com