Article: New home for two Bengal tigers

Thursday July 30, 2009

By TAN SIN CHOW

THE two Bengal tigers which were once kept at Bukit Jambul Hibiscus, Orchids and Reptile Farm have been relocated to private land in Teluk Bahang.

Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said there was thus no truth to the talk that the tigers had escaped from the steel cage in Bukit Jambul.

Phee said the owner was asked to relocate his tigers after the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) wanted to take back the land where the tigers were kept.

"The owners obtained all the necessary approval from the state Wildlife Department before moving the tigers to private land on Tuesday.

"The application was made on Monday and the approval was immediately granted," said Phee after a site inspection of the new steel cage used to keep the tigers in Teluk Bahang.

Phee said he was shocked after being informed by nearby residents that the tigers had gone missing from their old Bukit Jambul home at about 1.30pm yesterday.

He said Wildlife Department officers should have alerted him over the relocation before giving the approval.

"The first thing that came to my mind was public safety. I was relieved when told that the tigers had actually been relocated and had not escaped as alleged," he said.

Relocated: The two Bengal tigers inside the steel cage at a new site in Teluk Bahang.

The farm, which started operations in 1989, was closed down in June 2007 after Penang Development Corporation (PDC) took back the land.

He said that following the closure, the farm operators were asked to set up a similar tourism product at the 2ha Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve where the tigers now are.

The project, to be called Flora and Fauna Village, is a joint venture between them and the state Forestry Department.

The operators were supposed to move into the forest reserve sometime in May last year but due to several unforeseen circumstances, the project was delayed.

Phee said the project could see further delay as he had since ordered the reconstruction of the tigers' enclosure at the forest reserve.

"I inspected the enclosure two months ago and found that it did not meet the specifications and requirements.

"I have since ordered the architect to rebuild and send me a report pertaining to the new structure," he said,

The project at the forest reserve will house a wide variety of hibiscuses, orchids and tropical flowers. Besides the two tigers, an arapaima, albino cobra, two giant tortoises, snakes, lizards and spiders will be put on display.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 30 July 2009