The tiger Awang Besul's untimely death in Terengganu yesterday has left a big dent in the hearts of animal lovers and supporters of wildlife conservation.

The five-year-old Malayan tiger succumbed to a canine distemper virus after being caught wandering around Kampung Besul Lama in Bukit Besi last Friday.

But long before the story of Awang Besul hit the media headlines, a family in Penang had begun a campaign to preserve and protect the lives of tigers, the country's symbol of bravery and courage.

Dubbed Huku Awareness Campaign, the Cheah family was inspired by two Chinese characters Lao (Hu) and Tong (Ku), meaning "sufferings of tigers"...