By T.N. Alagesh

Raub, Malaysia: Residents staying in several villages here are living in fear since eight tigers were spotted roaming near their homes recently.

The tigers, believed to have eaten four cows from Kampung Jeruas, were also responsible for attacking an Orang Asli man at Kampung Ulu Temau last year.

State Wildlife and National Parks Department director Saharudin Anan said department records showed there were three tigers in the forest at Kampung Batu Malim, two each in Kampung Sangli and Kampung Jeruas, and one in Kampung Temau.

"Every month, the department receives complaints from the villagers on the threat posed by the tigers and we consider the matter now as serious.

"We have sent our rangers to set up traps at Kampung Jeruas and this will be done in stages at the other villages," he said yesterday.

Saharudin said the four villages (Batu Malim, Sangli, Jeruas and Temau) were close to the thick jungle, prompting the animals to sneak in easily.

"Since the cows graze close to the jungle, it makes them easy prey.

"The tigers at the Bukit Taling Forest Reserve were the ones which attacked the cows at Kampung Jeruas."

He advised villagers not to let their cows roam freely or graze too near the forest. --NST