Lam Wai Yee

Wai Yee holds a BA in Psychology and an MSc in Conservation Science, focusing on the spatio-temporal patterns of poachers in the Kenyir landscape. She spent seven years working with Rimba on tiger conservation, using crime science to lead a team of indigenous patrollers in the forests of Terengganu to counter poaching effectively.

Since 2021, as Panthera Malaysia’s Country Director, Wai Yee has been responsible for managing all aspects of Panthera’s operations in Malaysia, strengthening and expanding its presence in the country. She promotes Panthera’s vision and strategic approach to wild cat conservation. Wai Yee oversees two site projects in the Greater Taman Negara Landscape, including wildlife protection for the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve, and a third project for small cats in the Deramakot-Tangkulap Forest Complex in Sabah, Borneo.

Passionate about building local capacity, she works to professionalize rangers and analysts, equipping them with the skills needed to combat poaching and other threats to wild cats in Malaysia and beyond.

Wai Yee co-led the development of the Deep Forest Counter Poaching Operations Training and Search Operations Management Training programs, which combine local tracking expertise with systematic field tactics and crime science for effective conservation actions.