Sungkai: Eight Malayan tiger cubs were born to a single female between 2023 and 2025 under a conservation programme jointly implemented by the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the births were recorded during MPOGCF's sponsorship of food and health supplements for the female tiger at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) in Sungkai, Perak. This initiative has improved the health and welfare of the female tiger, thereby supporting ex-situ breeding efforts to increase the population of the critically endangered species.
Since 2021, MPOGCF has contributed RM2 million in sponsorship for various Malayan tiger conservation initiatives in collaboration with Perhilitan. These initiatives include ex-situ breeding programmes, scientific research, development of assisted reproductive technologies, and capacity building for department personnel. The collaboration was formalized under a Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 12, 2021, concluding on April 20, with activities centred at the NWRC and the Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre (MTCC) in Lanchang, Pahang.
The initiatives have included providing equipment and laboratory upgrades to support ex-situ breeding programmes, hormone and genetic research, and the development of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and habitat enrichment. Upgraded laboratory facilities now support assisted breeding programmes using advanced techniques such as laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI), ovum pick-up (OPU), semen collection, and cryopreservation. These capabilities enable systematic fertility assessments, breeding management, and preservation of Malayan tiger genetic material based on scientific methods.
The collaboration also involves research into Malayan tiger reproductive hormones and genomics in partnership with higher education institutions to enhance understanding of the species' reproductive biology, genetics, and the health of captive populations. MPOGCF has sponsored international training programmes and workshops for Perhilitan officers in wildlife conservation medicine and reproductive biotechnology, facilitating the exchange of expertise with international conservation experts.
Meanwhile, MPOGCF, Perhilitan, and FELDA are finalizing a new memorandum of understanding to explore the development of a breeding programme for Malayan tiger prey species, focusing on sambar deer, mouse-deer, and Malayan porcupines. This proposal also involves selected livestock farmers within the FELDA community by combining Perhilitan's technical expertise in species management with participation from local communities. The initiative emphasizes the importance of prey availability as a key ecosystem component supporting the survival of the Malayan tiger population in its natural habitat.