PERHILITAN confirms viral video of an emaciated Malayan tiger in Japan is false, clarifying the animal is an Amur tiger.
PETALING JAYA: Viral claims online of an emaciated Malayan tiger under the care of a zoo in Japan have been debunked by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN).
In a statement, PERHILITAN clarified that the tiger kept at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka is in fact an Amur tiger, further emphasising that the animal does not belong to the department or the Malaysian government.
The viral video, which allegedly showed a Malayan tiger in a malnourished condition, had raised public concern over its welfare and triggered negative perceptions regarding Malayan tiger conservation efforts.
“The spread of this inaccurate information has caused public confusion, particularly as the species has been misidentified as a Malayan tiger, thereby affecting perceptions of national efforts to conserve this endangered species.
“In this regard, PERHILITAN stresses that the public must act responsibly when sharing information, especially on social media, by verifying the accuracy of facts before disseminating any content,” the statement read.
The public has also been encouraged to rely on official government channels and credible sources for accurate information, and to avoid speculation.
Earlier, a video circulating online showed a tiger alleged to be a Malayan species in an emaciated state, triggering public concern.
