Protecting Malaysia’s Endangered Species: A National Responsibility
In conjunction with the Endangered Species Day, which is observed each year on the third Friday of May, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urge the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to jointly promote awareness and take concrete steps to protect Malaysia’s endangered species. Addressing the threats to these species requires a holistic approach that is science-based, community-driven, and policy-supported.
Malaysia is recognised as one of the most biodiverse countries in Asia, with over 2,000 endemic (native) species. However, much of the country’s wildlife is increasingly threatened, primarily due to habitat destruction caused by deforestation, roadkills, environmental pollution, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade.
Among Malaysia’s endangered animals are the Malayan tiger, with fewer than 150 individuals remaining, the Malayan tapir, the Bornean orangutan, with around 104,700 individuals, the Asian elephant, with an estimated 2,351 to 3,066 in the wild, and the Bornean elephant, with fewer than 1,000 in Sabah. The Black Shrew is critically endangered, with only one specimen ever collected on Mount Kinabalu; that there is concern it may already be extinct.
Globally, more than 47,000 species of flora and fauna are currently threatened with extinction. The survival of these species is intrinsically linked to our own, as their decline can lead to serious ecological imbalances. For example, a reduction in frog and bird populations can result in increased insect infestations, affecting agriculture and food security.
A tragic reminder of this crisis occurred recently with the death of a baby elephant on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway where we witnessed its grieving mother. This incident highlights the persistent threat of roadkills—a consequence of expanding road networks that dissect wildlife habitats in the name of economic development.
Since 2020, at least 2,361 animals were reported to have died from vehicle collisions across the country, including endangered species such as tigers, panthers, tapirs, and elephants. This number is expected to rise unless immediate action is taken.
Malaysia is a signatory to the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) where our National Policy on Biological Diversity (2022 – 2030) has been aligned with it. One of the goals of the KMGBF is that human induced extinction of threatened species should be halted to reduce extinction rates, population of native wild species be restored to healthy and resilient levels and genetic diversity of wild and domestic species are safeguarded. Hence, Malaysia has clearly committed to this goal. In doing so, there must be serious efforts in understanding the root causes of this crisis.
We urge relevant authorities to prioritise habitat protection and restoration. Stop fragmenting forests in the name of development. The fragmentation of forests disrupts habitat and biodiversity leading to what we now rampantly see roadkills and human wildlife conflicts. Economic development is necessary for a country like Malaysia but it cannot be done at the expense of endangering species and species extinction. Beyond the practical and economic reasons for protecting biodiversity, there is an ethical imperative. Every species has an intrinsic value and a right to exist. Human activities should not compromise the survival of other life forms.
We urge the government to expand protected areas such as national parks and forest reserves, restore degraded habitats through reforestation, and also urgently reconnect fragmented ecosystems. Establishing ecological corridors, such as viaducts, tunnels, and wildlife bridges, is crucial for enabling safe wildlife passage across roads and plantations. Establishing these corridors also mean monitoring and maintaining these passages to ensure that they are adequately working. Further, existing permanent reserved forests must not be degazetted and all non gazetted ecological corridors and environmentally sensitive areas must be gazetted immediately.
Human-wildlife conflict must also be addressed. The current human-wildlife conflict management manuals and guidelines by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) are grossly inadequate as they primarily only focus on mitigating potential conflicts rather than addressing the root causes, such as land-use change, altered wildlife distributions, and climate change. This inadequacy is further exemplified by the lack of a clear policy and pathway for translocation and reintroduction of wildlife, despite its frequent use by the agency. Whichever solution or mitigation strategy designed must also be effective in solving the problem as highlighted by the persistent incidences of roadkill, posing significant threat to biodiversity implementation of wildlife corridors as an implementation strategy.
The government should also rely on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) held by indigenous and other rural local communities to manage human-wildlife conflict. TEK as the cumulative body of knowledge and beliefs about the relationship of living beings with one another and with their environment can be invaluable for understanding and mitigating human-wildlife conflict. Integrating TEK with scientific knowledge leads to a more comprehensive understanding of the issues and can result in the implementation of socially and culturally relevant mitigation actions especially if the human-wildlife conflict involves indigenous and/or rural communities. Communities can be trained in non-lethal deterrents and conflict resolution strategies. Affected communities must be fairly compensated to encourage coexistence with wildlife.
Stronger enforcement of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 is essential. This should be supported by increased funding and personnel for PERHILITAN, the Sabah Wildlife Department, and wildlife enforcement units. Technological tools such as camera traps, drones, and GPS collars should be employed for monitoring and anti-poaching efforts. These efforts must be backed by strict penalties and the swift prosecution of wildlife crimes.
Wildlife education should be incorporated into school curricula and driving schools to raise awareness about roadkill risks. Public campaigns can be used to inform and mobilise society at large.
The scientific community plays a key role in supporting these initiatives. Researchers must conduct regular population surveys and genetic studies, particularly for elusive species like the Black Shrew. GPS tracking and bioacoustics can help monitor wildlife movement and behaviour, while infrastructure impact assessments can inform mitigation planning.
Finally, policy and infrastructure reforms are urgently needed. Sustainable land use planning must prioritise biodiversity corridors. Biodiversity protection should be key and should not be sacrificed merely for profits or to satisfy short-term economic interests. In an era where environmental degradation is alarmingly prevalent, safeguarding biodiversity is not just a moral obligation but an essential component to ensure the planet’s long-term health and sustainability.
Protecting Malaysia’s endangered species is not only a moral obligation but a national responsibility. Urgent and sustained action is required to ensure that future generations inherit a country rich in biodiversity and ecological balance. If nothing is done now, then Malaysia’s endangered wildlife will spiral into the vortex of extinction.
Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang
Meenakshi Raman
President
Sahabat Alam Malaysia
Press Statement, 16 May 2025