This striking brushstroke of a painting isn’t just beautiful, it speaks.
From the moment I first laid eyes on it, I felt drawn in by the tiger’s gaze, as if it were telling me its own tale. I’d hang it up without a second thought, but I was lucky enough to witness Amirul (@aimnzaim) create it live at Central i-City (@centralicity). Such raw talent touching raw emotion, it’s unforgettable.
This soulful artwork by Amirul reminded me of the Malayan tiger’s critical plight. As of 2022, fewer than 150 remain in the wild, a heartbreaking drop from ~3,000 back in the 1950s.
I was also reminded of the educational fair on the Malayan Tiger I attended at Aeon Mall Shah Alam @aeonmall.shah_alam, organised by Perhilitan Malaysia @perhilitan_malaysia. It was eye-opening to learn more about their conservation efforts, challenges, and how we as citizens can play a role in protecting this species.
Why should it matter to us?
- Keystone of the Ecosystem: As apex predators, Malayan tigers preserve balance by controlling prey populations, ensuring healthy forests - and healthy forests mean clean water, fresh air, and climate resilience for us too.
- Cultural Icon: They’re more than animals; they’re a national emblem, gracing our coat-of-arms, royal insignias, and sports jerseys - reflecting power, strength, and heritage.
- At Risk of Vanishing: Poaching, habitat loss, prey scarcity, disease, and road accidents have all steeply threatened their survival.
Amid this crisis, some efforts bring hope:
- Nationwide surveys and stronger legal protections, including the Wildlife Conservation Act, reinforce tiger preservation.
- Multi-agency patrols, snare removal, and habitat monitoring by organizations like DWNP, MYCAT, WWF, and WCS are making real impact - 90% drop in hunting in key forest reserves and destruction of over 1,000 traps.
- Industry collaboration: The palm oil sector is supporting captive breeding, medical care, and future rewilding efforts.
- Government and community action: A National Tiger Conservation Action Plan launched in 2021 includes habitat protection, anti-poaching enforcement, and forensics improvements ; citizens are engaging through “Cat Walks” and hotlines.
But we can’t stop here, this majestic species simply doesn’t have time.
What You Can Do and Why It Counts
Here’s how you can help make a difference:
- Raise awareness, just like you’re doing. Share compelling art, stories, and facts that move people’s hearts toward action.
- Teach and inspire others - especially children, with love, empathy, and stewardship for wildlife.
- Advocate for wildlife - safe infrastructure, like wildlife bridges to reduce deadly road collisions.
- Support conservation organizations - through donations, volunteering, or amplifying their messages (e.g., Perhilitan, WWF - MY, WCS, MYCAT).
- Conserve forests and habitats - advocate against deforestation, fragmentation, and promote reforestation efforts (like the Central Forest Spine and 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign).
- Speak up against poaching and illegal wildlife trade - demand stronger enforcement, behavioral-change interventions, and community awareness to stop wildlife crimes and trafficking via land or sea.
Your Voice Can Move Mountains
Let your art, your words, and your actions light the way forward. The Malayan tiger’s fate is intertwined with ours, and our future forests, climate, and communities depend on them.
Join me in spreading awareness. Educate others, especially the next generation, about the Malayan tiger’s importance. Together, we can support conservation heroes, push for safer wildlife crossings, and protect the forests they-and we-call home.
More photos at SF Artography Instagram
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