Perak: The Bukit Bangkong recreational area in Chemor is poised for a potential reopening to hikers, contingent on the restriction of access to its main trail only, while all alternative routes remain closed to safeguard against wildlife encounters and ensure visitor safety.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the proposal emerged from a meeting held on June 10, which included representatives from the Perak Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), the Kampung Tanah Hitam Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK), and the police (PDRM). The consensus was to install wildlife warning signs at the entrance and advise hikers to start their activities after 9 am, ensuring they vacate the area by 5 pm.

"PERHILITAN has no objection to reopening Bukit Bangkong for hiking, provided only the main trail to the summit is accessible and all alternative routes are fully closed," stated Teh Kok Lim, Chairman of the Perak Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee. However, he noted that the Kampung Tanah Hitam JPKK opposed the proposal to reopen the hiking area to the public.

Teh highlighted that PERHILITAN's monitoring efforts have confirmed Bukit Bangkong as an active tiger roaming area. Evidence was gathered through camera traps that captured images of different tigers on March 13 and April 20. The tigers, identified by their unique stripe patterns, are estimated to be around three years old, with paw prints measuring approximately 12 centimeters.

Additional findings by PERHILITAN include tiger footprints, a cow carcass believed to be a tiger kill, and traces of other wildlife such as barking deer, wild boar, and bear claw marks on trees. Six camera traps continue to monitor three active wildlife corridors, with tiger traps checked daily or every other day.

Besides tigers, the area is also home to sun bears, black panthers, barking deer, junglefowl, and wild boar. Teh advised the public to avoid hiking or entering orchards alone, refrain from visiting the area during early morning or late evening hours, and to not provoke wildlife. He stressed that human-wildlife conflict risks remain low if PERHILITAN's safety guidelines are adhered to.