Twelve cows belonging to farmers in Kampung Selendang Tiga and Lima, Rompin, have been killed by a tiger that has been roaming freely in the nearby oil palm plantations since late last month.
The first attack occurred in Kampung Selendang Tiga, claiming eight cows, followed by a second incident in Kampung Selendang Lima two nights ago, which killed four more livestock.
Adnan Mohamad, chairman of the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK), said the threat posed by the tiger is now considered serious, causing fear among residents after 12 cows were killed within two months. He noted that the tiger’s appearance is the first since the large-scale opening of forest land for agriculture in the area, with free-roaming cattle near the forest likely attracting the predator.
The area is home to more than ten cattle farmers, collectively managing about 4,500 cows that graze freely within the plantations. Farmers regularly monitor their livestock, but the tiger has caused significant concern.
PERHILITAN (Department of Wildlife and National Parks) Pahang has set up traps in Kampung Selendang Tiga using calves as bait, with personnel rotating to monitor and feed the bait. Cameras have also been installed to track the tiger’s movements and assess its physical condition.
Adnan said the tiger that appeared in Kampung Selendang Tiga might now have moved to Kampung Selendang Lima, killing four more cows. Some villagers reported seeing the tiger, which fled into the forest immediately, and it is suspected there may be more than one tiger in the area.
Residents are now wary of going out at night or working in the plantations near the forest, fearing the tiger could turn on humans if desperate. PERHILITAN has advised caution and continues to monitor the situation closely, working to neutralize the threat from the dangerous predator.
