Discovering tiger footprint on last day at Taman Negara

We decided to make a more challenging activity on our last day at Kuala Tahan National Park, so we thought of have tracking on our own to one of the Bumbum in Taman Negara deep in the jungle. One of which not really far that requires 3 hours go and return way and its distance is only 3.1km from Mutiara resort, named Bumbum Tabing (1st time i heard the name, i mistakenly thought it was Bumbum Kambing, heh). the route to Bumbum Tabing would be the same as the route towards Tahan Mountain, where after 1 hour tracking, ones need to make a right turn towards bumbum Tabing.

We left off our chalets early in the morning & stopped by at the nearby stall for our breakfast. We plan to finish of our tracking and return back to our chalet before 12 noon, so that we have ample time to check out & intended not to be charged extra; additional of 1 hour for RM10. The first landmark before going off into the jungle was a big signboard showing the direction to several locations with their corresponding distances. At first, the tracking route was easy because we only need to walk along the fibre structure pathways; then it ended because there was still ongoing construction to continue laying down fibre pathways. The jungle started to get thicker and less sun lights with higher humidity. We encountered few wild animals on our way such as a pair of wild black chicken-like animals crossed the tracking path ahead of us, wild monkeys on top of us making noises. There were plenty of animal footprints on the track, most of which were either the malayan antelopes or mouse deers. Then after half an hour of non-stop tracking, i noticed several unusual footprints; i was not quite sure at first so i quickly signalled my girlfren to stop walking and both of us check on the footprints carefully. I was definitely 100% certain that they were belonged to harimau belang! and they were still fresh!.. we thought of cancelling our plan and have no 2nd thought of returning back to the base camp. There was no need to take risk, especially there were only 2 of us. I definitely didn't want to take any foolish chance since today was the last day of our stay at Kuala Tahan.

On our return to the base we stumbled upon a pair of british couple, so we warn them about our encounter. I believed they took our word cause once we arrive at the Perhilitan office, we saw them passing us. The Perhilitan people at the office reassured us that the photo we took earlier on the footprints were belonged to the tiger.

Perhaps, next time if i were with few more people i would certainly go on further tracking deeper until i reach Bumbum Tambing. Maybe next time...