UAE, Malaysia to establish Southeast Asia's first Malayan tiger reserve

WAM

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZF) and Malaysia's Enggang Management Services on Thursday signed an agreement to establish southeast Asia's first tiger reserve dedicated to protecting the critically endangered Malayan tiger and other rare species.

The agreement, signed during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, includes a $22 million grant from MBZF to Enggang Management Services over five years.

The funding will support the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve, located next to Taman Negara National Park and spanning 1,340 square kilometres, which will provide a conducive environment for conserving the critically endangered Malayan tiger and other threatened wildlife in Malaysia's wilderness.

The initiative forms part of global efforts to prevent the extinction of rare species, particularly the critically endangered Malayan tiger, as classified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. With fewer than 150 Malayan tigers remaining in the wild, global tiger populations have declined by 97 per cent during the last century due to poaching and habitat loss.

Captive breeding, rewilding and translocation programmes will also be implemented, with the Rewilding Centre named in honour of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in recognition of the UAE's contributions to environmental conservation and the protection of endangered species.

Witnessing the signing, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, and Chairman of the International Humanitarian Affairs Council, highlighted the significance of the collaboration in preserving biodiversity, enhancing conservation efforts and stabilising ecosystems.

He added it reflects the UAE's ongoing commitment to sustainability, inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who laid the foundation for protecting the environment for future generations.

While the Malayan tiger will be the reserve's flagship species, the conservation measures will also benefit other rare, threatened and endangered animals, including wild cats, elephants, tapirs, sun bears, gaur and various bird species.

More from UAE News

  • UAQ Ruler receives condolences on passing of his Mother

    H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain, received condolences on the passing of his mother, the late Sheikha Hessa bint Hamid bin Abdulrahman Al Shamsi, at the condolence majlis held at the Emiri Court.

  • Ruler of Dubai receives Eid Al-Fitr well-wishers

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received well-wishers on Monday at Zaabil Majlis on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.

  • Three given death sentence and one life in prison in murder case

    The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals' State Security Chamber has convicted the defendants of the kidnapping and murder of Moldovan-Israeli citizen Zvi Kogan. Three defendants have been sentenced to death, and the fourth to life imprisonment, for the premeditated murder with terrorist intention.

  • UAE sends search and rescue team to Myanmar

    The UAE has urgently dispatched a search and rescue team, comprising members from Abu Dhabi Police, the National Guard, and the Joint Operations Command, to support efforts to save people affected by the earthquake in Myanmar.

Coming Up