Sungai choh: A Malayan Tiger will be released into its natural habitat from the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) here for the very first time early next month. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup announced that the female Malayan tiger, named 'Yong Choh', was in good health and sufficiently aggressive to survive independently after being captured by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in Sungai Choh, Ulu Kinta on July 22.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister revealed plans to release Yong Choh into her natural environment in early September. This announcement was made during a press conference following the Minister's Working Visit Programme to the NWRC. The MyBIT programme, initiated in 2023, has seen the birth of 13 tiger cubs, with nine surviving and thriving at the NWRC.
In 2026, the MyBIT programme achieved remarkable success, with five tiger cubs born by the breeding pair 'Mek Santong' and 'Yeop Kuang'. The pair produced two litters in the same year, in January and July. The cubs are under constant monitoring and care to ensure they are healthy enough for future release into their natural habitat. The priority remains to preserve and protect endangered species before releasing them.
Arthur highlighted that MyBIT has recorded four birth events involving three breeding pairs: Cindai and Bobby (one cub on April 12, 2025); Mek Santong and Yeop Kuang (three cubs on Jan 2, 2026, and five cubs on July 28, 2026); and Queen and Awe Jeli (four cubs on March 7, 2026). The programme aims to increase the tiger population, maintain genetic diversity, provide individuals for conservation strategies, and enhance local expertise in captive tiger breeding management.
Arthur also mentioned the potential for expansion at the NWRC, which covers around 3,000 acres but currently uses only about 24 acres. He acknowledged the need for additional capacity if required in the future, emphasizing the importance of the centre as one of the only wildlife rescue facilities in Peninsular Malaysia.