A Cat-alyst for Conservation
January 5, 2026
Key Takeaways
- At Sunway, sustainability is about preserving life in all its forms.
- Through scientific innovation, partnerships and education, we continue to safeguard Malaysia’s natural heritage.
Once the pride of Malaysia’s rainforests, the Malayan tiger now faces an uncertain future. According to a survey conducted by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, WWF-Malaysia and various NGOs, fewer than 150 tigers remain in the wild.
As this symbol of national strength edges closer to extinction, the need for conservation efforts to safeguard our biodiversity and natural heritage has never been more urgent.
In line with Sunway’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), namely SDG 15: Life on Land, multiple efforts have been made to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of land to combat biodiversity loss.
A Breakthrough for the Malayan Tiger
Among the efforts are Sunway Theme Parks’ landmark Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Workshop, in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia’s lead authority in wildlife conservation and enforcement and the Zoological Parks Organisation of Thailand (ZPOT), which oversees Thailand’s network of zoological institutions and contributes valuable technical knowledge and cross-border collaboration to the initiative.
The four-day programme trained local veterinarians, zoologists and conservationists, leading up to Malaysia’s first successful assisted breeding procedure on a Malayan tiger.
Known as oviductal artificial insemination, this method places sperm directly where fertilisation occurs, helping endangered species like the Malayan tiger have a stronger chance to reproduce.
This achievement offers significant hope for the future of our national species. Our collaboration with PERHILITAN and ZPOT also demonstrates SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals in action, showing how collective expertise can create lasting impact for Malaysia’s wildlife.
A Legacy of Conservation in Action
The landmark workshop is part of a much broader story of our conservation efforts.
At Sunway Lost World of Tambun, we successfully hatched a Kuang Raya (Great Argus) chick, a species native to Southeast Asia classified as “near threatened” due to hunting and habitat loss. The chick has since been returned to PERHILITAN to be rehabilitated and released into the wild, highlighting the importance of long-term collaboration in wildlife conservation.
Similarly, in 2024, the park celebrated its first recorded pangolin birth in captivity. The pangolin named Gangsa was released into the wild alongside five other rehabilitated pangolins by PERHILITAN to boost the number of pangolins in the wild.
Meanwhile, the Southern River Terrapin Conservation Programme at Sunway Lagoon monitors breeding behaviours and health conditions to support natural reproduction. Since then, two clutches of eggs have been laid by the river Terrapins at Sunway Lagoon.
Each of these milestones demonstrates how targeted conservation efforts can lead to measurable outcomes for endangered species.
Educating the Next Generation
Conservation is most effective when it inspires and educates. Hence, our conservation efforts are conducted hand in hand with our educational content. Opening doors for people to learn the science behind it.
At Sunway Lagoon, the Wildlife Hospital allows guests to observe real veterinary procedures, from reptile treatments to rehabilitation work, offering a transparent look into animal care.
Similarly, the Animal Medical Village at Sunway Lost World of Tambun engages visitors through themed huts on topics such as emergency response and research.
Beyond exhibits, Sunway Theme Parks introduced gamified learning tools including interactive board games for players to learn more about animals. The Explorer Rangers programme also gives children hands-on experiences like feeding animals and planting trees.
Combined with specialised workshops and local university partnerships, we aim to shape Malaysia’s next generation of conservation advocates and professionals through these initiatives.
Keeping Hope Alive
At Sunway, sustainability is about preserving life in all its forms. Through scientific innovation, partnerships and education, we continue working to safeguard Malaysia’s natural heritage.
The ART Workshop marks a new chapter in this journey towards wildlife conservation for the future of our beloved planet.
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