Tiger search yields zero evidence: Selangor Perhilitan director

KUALA LUMPUR – Checks and efforts to trace tiger tracks after the large cat was supposedly sighted in Kemensah Heights, Hulu Selangor, yielded no evidence that would suggest the animal was recently in the area.

Selangor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) state director Dennis Ten Choon Yung told The Vibes that rangers who scoured the areas near the site of the alleged sighting yesterday failed to pick up on any tracks that could have been left behind by the animal.

“Our team visited the area, and we are unable to track down any signs of the said animal. No tracks were found and there was no evidence showing that there was a tiger that appeared in the area.

“It does not appear that it was a tiger sighting, it could have been a dog, a cat, it could have been anything,” said Ten when contacted.

He explained how Perhilitan had even established contact with the person who created a voice note, which has since gone viral, that warned residents of Kemensah Heights to remain indoors until the animal was properly dealt with, to verify his claims.

“We have contacted him, the Mr Fadzil. The problem is he was also unable to confirm the sighting,” he said.

Ten said Perhilitan’s rangers would still be stationed nearby the location of the supposed sighting to continue monitoring possible developments.

“Our rangers will always be on the ground, but they will not be specifically looking for the tiger as there were no traces found. So we will have to continuously assess the areas nearby,” he said.

Ten revealed how he has been bombarded by phone calls from worried residents living there, and regrets how the claims have triggered panic in the neighbourhood.

“We are worried it might create a lot of insecure feelings and panic among the residents, but we are unable to confirm the sighting.

“There are those who asked me if I have caught the animal, but the problem is we cannot verify the sighting,” he lamented.

Ampang Jaya police chief Mohamad Farouk Eshak when contacted said that rangers who left the areas near the alleged sighting were also unable to confirm the presence of the wild animal.

“As of 7pm, the rangers told us there were no signs of a tiger roaming nearby the area,” he told The Vibes.

Yesterday, police and Perhilitan rangers were called into action after a voice message claiming a tiger sighting in Kemensah Heights went viral, with initial searches also yielding no evidence of the wild animal recently being in the area. – The Vibes, May 21, 2022