AWANG Besul, the tiger caught on Friday by the Terengganu Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) after it wandered into Kg Besul Lama in Dungun, probably has canine distemper.

Perhilitan Director-General Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said this is based on preliminary observations by the department’s wild animal specialists and state Veterinary Services Department, which took part in the operation to catch the creature.

Canine distemper is a disease caused by a virus that normally affects domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, he said, adding that there have also been cases involving wild animals, like tigers, wolves and foxes.

“The virus causes animals to become ‘confused’ and lose its predatory streak. This could be the reason why (Awang Besul) did not harm the humans and livestock it came across.

“For normal tigers… they would attack (humans and livestock) as it is in their nature,” he told reporters after giving a talk at University Malaysia Terengganu in Kuala Nerus yesterday.

He said whether Awang Besul has canine distemper can only be confirmed after its blood test results come back in about two weeks.

“According to staff at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Sungkai, Perak, where Awang Besul was sent, the male tiger is recovering, and can eat and drink well.” – Bernama, July 22, 2019.