Poaching and Illegal trading of the Malayan Tiger is the most crucial threat these extraordinary animals face now. Poaching using snares and traps is a major threat they face as it is one of the most lethal methods of decreasing the tigers’ already low numbers. They are endangered due to massive illegal hunting for their skin, bones, and other body parts in the name of creating traditional medicines. 

Due to the many cultural beliefs of Southeast and East Asian countries, tiger body parts are considered highly beneficial in terms of health. It supposedly contains precious medicinal properties, the bones being treasured even more so than the skin. Many of the tigers’ body parts, like skin, canine teeth, skulls, and claws, are treated like trophies and are traded or purchased at a high cost. Horrifically, the Malayan Tigers’ meat can be cooked and served at exotic restaurants.

Tigers are sometimes killed because they have killed and eaten some farmers’ livestock. This is termed ‘Human-Tiger’ conflict and needs to be addressed with the communities in tiger landscape. This usually happens when there is a lack of prey or food in the tigers territory.  

Another unfortunate challenge the Malayan Tigers have to face is the loss of habitat due to deforestation. Many developmental projects have occurred in Malaysia, and many of these are to be developed for agriculture, plantations and other development need such as new villages, roads networks etc.

Massive forests have been cleared to allow the palm oil plantations. This unfortunately, poses a huge threat to the tigers and other incredible flora and fauna found within the country’s natural rainforests. Malayan Tigers face extinction because their habitats are destroyed for these plantations to thrive. 

The Malayan Tigers and other Malaysian wildlife are becoming increasingly critically endangered due to logging activities especially in the case of Clear Logging and not adhering to sustainable production practices. This other threat is linked to the growth of rubber and palm oil plantations. On the other hand, sustainable logging, if conducted properly by following all guidelines would not have as much detrimental impact on tigers. 

However, with proper planning and management for sustainable logging, this economic activity can have far less of an impact on the survival of the Malayan Tiger. There is a world in which economic flourishment through forestry can co-exist with tiger conservation.

Aside from poachers and rampant deforestation, the tigers face the challenge of finding a sustainable food source. Deforestation destroys not only the habitat of the tigers but also other Malaysian wildlife that make up the diet of the tigers. They consume wild boar, sambar deer, barking deer, and serow as part of their diet. 

Because of the over hunting of prey, the tigers now do not have enough food, which has also impacted their population numbers.

Due to all these threats, saving the tigers from extinction is urgently required.