Fatal Tiger Attacks in Malaysia: Lalu Sukarya Yahya and Ahka Soe Ya Among Victims

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Authorities in Malaysia have successfully captured two critically endangered Malayan tigers after they were accused of causing a series of deaths among villagers. The situation has prompted the setting up of tiger traps in the remote jungles of northeast Kelantan state, where the attacks have occurred, resulting in at least four fatalities.

The most recent victim was a man who was believed to have been mauled in a rubber plantation in Gua Musang, Kelantan, on Saturday. This incident followed the discovery of a deceased Myanmar national in the same area just days earlier. The body parts found on the Indonesian migrant worker, Lalu Sukarya Yahya, 42, showed signs of an animal attack.

Mohamed Fadzli, the deputy chief minister of Kelantan, attributed the increased attacks on humans to the mating season of the tigers. He explained that during this period, the tigers roam in search of mates and food. Additionally, some tiger packs are teaching their cubs to hunt, which may contribute to the heightened aggression towards humans.

The recent deaths are part of an alarming trend, as authorities have deemed the incidents unprecedented. Between 2017 and 2022, only four tiger attacks were recorded in Kelantan, two of which were fatal. The Department of Wildlife and Nature Parks (Perhilitan) in Kelantan has captured one tiger and is investigating whether it was responsible for the two fatalities. Another tiger was trapped in September and both have been relocated to a wildlife sanctuary.

In response to these attacks, the Perhilitan is taking measures to address the situation. Traps and camera traps are being set up in Kelantan to monitor the tiger activity. Mohamad Hafid Rohani, the State Perhilitan director, has called on plantation workers to avoid working alone and provoking wildlife in the area.

It is worth noting that at least one victim, Ahka Soe Ya, 22, from Myanmar, was not working alone at the time of the attack. He was with his wife in Kampung Meranto, Gua Musang, when he sustained fatal injuries to his neck. Despite receiving emergency treatment, he succumbed to severe head injuries caused by the tiger attack.

Malayan tigers are a critically endangered subspecies of the big cat family found in the lush rainforests of Malaysia. Recognized for their striking appearance, they boast a vibrant orange coat adorned with characteristic dark stripes and hold the status of national animal in Malaysia. Unfortunately, due to habitat loss and poaching, their population has dwindled to only 200 individuals in the wild. Consequently, intensive conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve this unique subspecies..