AMPANG – For over a decade, Choirul Huda Bahri has been caring for four Malayan tigers at Zoo Negara in Hulu Kelang and over the years, he has come to know them like family.
Now 32, Choirul says each tiger has a distinct personality, but Squash, the only female, is noticeably more affectionate, gentle and responsive compared to the others: Kayla, Wira and King King.
“Every day, we start by inspecting the enclosure at 8am, checking the fencing, the power lines and making sure the tigers are well before letting one of them out to explore. They take turns, always one at a time.
“Each has their own play schedule to avoid any conflict. If we notice any cuts or scrapes, we don’t let them out – instead, we contact the vet to take a closer look.
“While one is outside, the others are moved to a separate area. That allows us to clean the enclosure, clear away leftover food and get their larger night space ready,” he said.
Known fondly as ‘The Big Ginger’, the Malayan tigers tend to be active once outside, but after a few hours, they often settle down for a nap, depending on their mood.
Feeding happens at 3.30pm and the tigers are usually brought in by 4.30pm. On weekends or public holidays, their time outside is extended by an hour.
“A grown Malayan tiger eats six kilos of chicken and two kilos of beef a day. Saturdays are their ‘light’ days, they only get two kilos of chicken,” Choirul added.
He also mentioned that each tiger recognised its own name, which usually helps the team call them back into their enclosures, although, he added, it often depends on their mood.
Zoo-based conservation efforts like these were essential in protecting the Malayan tiger, whose numbers in the wild are falling.
In 2019, Zoo Negara successfully bred three cubs, followed by another three born at Zoo Taiping in 2020, to a mother tiger originally born there in 2009.