Osaka: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) today refuted claims that a purported Malayan Tiger was spotted in a weak and sickly condition at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan, as seen in a viral video circulating on social media.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, PERHILITAN clarified in a statement that the animal in the video is an Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), not a Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni). In fact, no Malayan Tigers exist at the said zoo. The video has incorrectly identified the tiger, leading to public concern about wildlife welfare and the conservation of Malayan Tigers.

PERHILITAN also clarified that the Amur Tiger does not belong to the department or the Government of Malaysia. The spread of this misinformation has caused public confusion and negatively impacted the perception of Malaysia's conservation efforts for its endangered wildlife.

In response to the situation, PERHILITAN urged the public to verify facts before sharing information on social media. The department emphasized that the dissemination of inaccurate or unverified information can create confusion, trigger negative perceptions, and undermine wildlife conservation efforts both nationally and internationally. The public is encouraged to refer to official government sources or authorized bodies for accurate information and to avoid baseless speculations.

PERHILITAN remains committed to preserving the nation's wildlife and will continue working with stakeholders locally and internationally to ensure the welfare of endangered species, including the Malayan Tiger.