Sumatran
tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is a subspecies of tiger found on the
Indonesian island of Sumatra. Recent genetic testing has revealed the
presence of unique genetic markers, which isolate Sumatran tigers from
all mainland subspecies. About 400-500 wild Sumatran tigers were believed to exist in 1998, but their numbers have continued to decline.
The Sumatran Tiger is the smallest of all surviving tiger subspecies.
Male Sumatran tigers average 204 cm (6 feet, 8 inches) in length from
head to tail and weigh about 136 kg (300 lb). Females average 198 cm (6
feet, 6 inches) in length and weigh about 91 kg (200 lb).Its stripes are
narrower than other subspecies of tigers' stripes, and it has a more
bearded and maned appearance, especially the males. Its small size makes
it easier to move through dense rain forests. It has webbing between
its toes that, when spread, makes Sumatran tigers very fast swimmers. It
has been known to drive hoofed prey into the water, especially if the
prey animal is a slow swimmer.
Sumatran Tigers commonly prey on larger ungulates, like Wild Boar,
Malayan Tapir and deer, and sometimes also smaller animals, like fowl,
monkeys, and fish. Orangutans could be prey, but since they spend a
minimal amount of time on the ground, tigers rarely catch one. Sumatran
tigers will sometimes prey upon mice and other small mammals when larger
prey is scarce.
Analysis of DNA is
consistent with the hypothesis that the Sumatran Tigers have been
isolated from other tiger populations after a rise in sea level at the
Pleistocene to Holocene border (about 12,000-6,000 years ago). In
agreement with this evolutionary history, the Sumatran Tiger is
genetically isolated from all living mainland tigers, which form a
distinct group, closely related among each other.
The Sumatran tiger is only found
naturally in Sumatra, a large island in western Indonesia. Its habitat
ranges from lowland forests to sub-mountain and mountain-forests,
including peat swamp forests. Much of its habitat is unprotected, with
only about 400 living in game reserves and national parks. The largest
population of about 110 tigers lives in Gunung Leuser National Park.
Another 100 live in unprotected areas which are being converted for
agriculture.
Deforestation resulting from the production of palm oil is a major
threat to the Sumatran Tiger. The reserves also do not provide
safety, as many tigers are killed by poachers each year despite
conservation efforts. According to the Tiger Information Centre and the
World Wildlife Fund there are no more than 500 remaining Sumatran Tigers
in the wild, with some estimates considerably lower.
The continuing loss of habitat is intensifying the crisis to save this tiger.
In 2006 the Indonesia Forestry
Service, the Natural Resources and Conservational Agency (BKSDA) and the
Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program sat down with commercial concession
holders and Asia Pulp & Paper and set the foundations for the
Senepis Buluhala Tiger Sanctuary, an area that covered 106,000 hectares
in Riau by 2008. These organizations formed The Tiger Conservation
Working Group with other interested parties and the project is
recognised as a pioneering initiative. Current studies include the
identifying of feeding behavior of tigers to develop strategies that
will help protect both tigers and human settlements.
In 2007, the Indonesian Forestry Ministry and Safari Park established
cooperation with the Australia Zoo for the conservation of Sumatran
Tigers and other endangered species. The cooperation agreement was
marked by the signing of a Letter of Intent on 'Sumatran Tiger and other
Endangered Species Conservation Program and the Establishment of a
Sister Zoo Relationship between Taman Safari and Australia Zoo' at the
Indonesian Forestry Ministry office on July 31, 2007. The program
includes conserving Sumatran Tigers and other endangered species in the
wild, efforts to reduce conflicts between tigers and humans and
rehabilitating Sumatran Tigers and reintroducing them to their natural
habitat.
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