UAE and Malaysia Partner to Establish Southeast Asia’s First Tiger Reserve to Protect Malayan Tiger

A historic agreement was signed during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, marking a major milestone in wildlife conservation.

The agreement between the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZF) and Enggang Management Services aims to establish Southeast Asia's first dedicated tiger reserve, the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve, to protect the critically endangered Malayan tiger.

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, HRH Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, Regent of Pahang, and H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development, witnessed the historic signing. The US$22 million grant from MBZF over five years will fund the initiative in Malaysia’s Taman Negara National Park, covering 1,340 square kilometers.

Sheikh Theyab emphasized the importance of this collaboration in preserving biodiversity, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to sustainability and the environmental legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve will focus on the Malayan tiger, with fewer than 150 remaining in the wild, and support other endangered species such as elephants, sun bears, and wild cats.

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Executive Managing Director of MBZF, highlighted the significance of timely conservation actions and the importance of global partnerships in securing the tiger’s future. The grant will fund anti-poaching patrols, breeding programs, habitat restoration, and the establishment of a research facility focusing on advanced genetics.

Dato' Sri Muthanna Abdullah, Chairman of Enggang Holdings, praised the UAE’s partnership, underscoring the global impact of their conservation efforts in protecting endangered species.

News Source: Emirates News Agency