Tiger sightings spark fear among 500 Kuala Krai villagers

KUALA KRAI: About 500 residents in four villages in Mukim Sungai Mengkuang are living in fear after a tiger was spotted near a forest in the area more than two weeks ago.

Their concerns intensified after a cow belonging to a villager was believed to have been attacked by the tiger on Monday. Footprints believed to belong to a tigress and her cub were also found.

The affected villages are Kampung Nara, Kampung Bukit Pacat, Kampung Gajah Mati and Kampung Slow Temiang.

Resident Mansor Derahman, 77, said he had stopped tapping rubber for more than two weeks for fear of encountering the animal, especially after hearing its roars near his rubber plantation.

"For now, I have decided not to go to the plantation because I am worried about running into the tiger. We do not know when or where it might appear.

"Most residents here depend on rubber tapping as their main source of income. However, since the animal appeared, many have been afraid to risk their safety by going to their plantations," he said.

Another rubber tapper, Sukarman Ibrahim, 59, said he found fresh tiger footprints along the path to his plantation about two weeks ago.

He said he was on his way to tap rubber at 8am when he spotted the footprints on wet ground following light rain the previous night.

"Based on their sizes, I noticed two sets of footprints, one large and the other smaller. I believe they belonged to an adult tiger and its cub.

"I immediately turned back because I was worried about my safety. I also heard the animal roaring from a nearby hill," he said.

Meanwhile, Sungai Mengkuang village head Zulkifli Sulaiman said this was the first tiger sighting reported to him in his 17 years in the position.

Previously, he had received reports of wild animals such as elephants, bears and tapirs in the area.

He said residents were taking precautions by avoiding outdoor activities after Maghrib. Those needing to go out in an emergency would only do so in vehicles such as cars or pick-up trucks.

The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has also installed two traps, one each in Kampung Nara and Kampung Gajah Mati, more than a week ago in an effort to capture the tiger.

Zulkifli said the presence of the tiger and its cub had affected residents' livelihoods, as many were afraid to resume rubber tapping for fear of being attacked.