OUTDOOR sports operators Hulu Selangor are bracing for the worst following sightings of a tiger in the area.

They are concerned this could drive visitors away.

Hulu Selangor residents are also living in fear for their safety following reports of the animal being seen in four locations.

A homestay owner in Kuala Kubu Baru, Wan Naziah Wan Mohd Salleh, 60 said organisers of outdoor activities stopped signing up new customers two weeks ago.

He said Hulu Selangor was a hub for a range of activities including cycling, paragliding, and bird watching.

“Although tiger has been spotted far from the town area, people are understandably worried.

“If the outdoor activitity business takes a dive, people like me, who depend on them for a living, will be affected,” said Wan Naziah, adding that public safety was paramount.

The hilly Hulu Selangor area is home to many forest reserves with many stunning waterfalls, rapids and a dam, which are a magnet for the outdoor enthusiast.

Wan Naziah said paragliding and rafting activities were a feature in the forest near where the tiger was seen last week.

Afnan Ahmad, 40, who runs Afnan Homestay, said a September 17 cycling event could be scrapped.

He fears participants would cancel their bookings if the “King Of Mountain Cycling” competition was called off.

“So far no one has cancelled but I am worried that the competition will be affected as it will use the Bukit Fraser route.

“Almost all the homestays in Kuala Kubu Baru are fully booked that week. If the competition is axed it will be a huge blow to all of us,” he said.

Paragliding enthusiast M. Gopikrishnan, 40, said some activities have been cancelled.

“After paragliding, we usually go to the foothills. We’ve stopped doing that now because of safety concerns,” he said.

Orang Asli village head in Serendah, Tok Batin Sira, said the community was used to seeing tigers around Batang Kali and Gerachi Jaya.

“We don’t bother the tigers. This forest is its territory. But I always remind the people here to be careful when going into the forest to forage.

“I was born and raised here, the tiger has never bothered us,” the 63-year-old Sira said.

In the past week, the creature has been spotted at least four times.

The Selangor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is working to establish why the tiger has left the mountain to venture into human territory.

The Hulu Selangor police has urged anyone who has seen the animal to call 03-6064 1222. – September 8, 2023.