KUANTAN - Two breeders suffered significant financial losses when 75 sheep and goats were found dead, suspected to have been attacked by a black panther, in an incident that occurred at Kampung Batu Hitam two weeks ago.
The incident not only shocked the breeders but also raised concerns among the residents of the area about the potential threat posed by the presence of the wild animal to their safety.
Sheep pen owner Azmi Manan, 62, suspected panther attacks after observing bite and scratch marks on the sheep carcasses.
He said his suspicions grew stronger with the discovery of the panther’s tracks near the pen.
"At first, I thought it was a dog but after looking at the carcasses, there were bite, scratch marks on the necks and the animal would only choose to eat the organs."
"We felt the presence of the wild animal attacking the livestock and it apparent when Perhilitan (Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia) confirmed it was (a black panther)," he said when met in Kampung Batu Hitam here, today.
This confirmation, he said was based on the bite and scratch marks on the carcasses.
The father of eight said the incident was a first that a panther attacked the livestock in the area.
He believed the wild animal entered the farm at night and considered the livestock as food.
"I was unsure of how it entered the pen, the incident happened over two weeks ago in stages. Around seven or eight sheep died per night due to the panther.
"40 of my sheep were eaten by it (panther) in two weeks. After my livestock was gone, I understood that the panther attacked other livestock in different pens," he said.
Another breeder, Wan Mohd Suffian Wan Mohmad, 47, said three attacks from the panther caused 50 of his livestock, including chickens to die.
He admitted he was sad, but he was forced to face the test given to him at the time.
"Only six of my sheep remain and 35 were dead, eaten by the panther. A whole chicken coop was gone (around 20). I felt tired of raising sheep, but since the area was built, it felt like a waste to stop."
"Once this issue is solved maybe I would buy a few additional sheep,” he said.
Wan Mohd Suffian said throughout his two-day stay in the pen, there were no panther activities detected.
"Beserah Penghulu Mukim Nasaruddin Ahmad said residents involved had lodged a report to Perhilitan and traps were installed several days ago in an attempt to catch the panther," said Wan Suffian.
He said Perhilitan believed the panther would return as there were some livestock in the area.
"We did not expect this situation to occur as the area is only lightly forested and far away from dense areas."
"Kampung Batu Hitam residents are advised to be cautious and not take their own actions as this involved a wild animal,” he said.
Sinar’s saw the traps placed by Perhilitan to catch the panther suspected of being in the area.