Conservation Steps for Sumatran Tigers

The island of Sumatra is home to the critically endangered Sumatran tiger, which is a sub-species of tiger that is not found anywhere in the world. There are estimated to be fewer than four-hundred Sumatran tigers left in the wild today. The existence of the Sumatran tiger is under threat from increasing deforestation and forest degradation. It is a big impact of environmental and socio-economic challenges being faced in Indonesia. The tigers in Sumatra are losing their natural habitat at a rapidly alarming rate. Poaching of the tigers and their prey as well as people killing or maiming tigers in retaliation to livestock loss are dangers for this species. What are the main threats to tigers in Sumatra? These magnificent and elusive big cats are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. The conservation steps towards preservation of life of Sumatran tigers have mainly been initiated by Wild Cats Conservation Alliance. It is an alliance of Zoological Society of London and Dream World Wildlife Foundation since 1997. To date, they have mobilized over four million Sterling Pounds over one hundred and three different projects across five tiger range nations in Asia. They are working to protect the Sumatran tigers by supporting Fauna & Flora International and the Lingkar Inisiatif Indonesia. Much work has been done towards wildlife preservation in Kerinci Seblat National Park in Southern Sumatra Island. The projects include anti-poaching activities, conflict mitigation, education and outreach. With such activities, the tiger species are being helped along with the preservation of the whole ecosystem in Sumatra. What is the diet of Sumatran tigers? These tigers are keystone species and top predators in the food chain and their healthy populations will certainly reflect a healthy environment. They can easily handle an animal as large as a gaur; it being considered among the biggest species of wild cattle. They can also take down a tapir or a baby elephant and hunt even smaller prey such as birds, monkeys and fish; deer and wild boars are perhaps making up the bulk of their diet. These tigers weigh close to one hundred and forty kilograms. Why are Sumatran tigers endangered? As apex predators, Sumatran tigers have only humans as their natural enemies. One of the main threats to Sumatran tigers is through poachers. Hunters use snare traps or shoot these tigers for their skin and bones. These products are in high demand overseas as status symbols and for use in Asian traditional medicine. A reduction in prey due to poaching of deer and other species, as well as habitat loss due to the expansion of oil palm and coffee plantations along with smallholder encroachment threaten these big cats. How many Sumatran tigers are left in the wild? Sumatran tigers are naturally wary of humans and they are not so easy to see because they are mostly cryptically camouflaged. It is almost impossible to keep a clear count of them. Tiger tracks and few other signs that are provided with cleverly placed camera traps are perhaps the only way to determine their presence. These tigers are chiefly confined to dense and deep forests. The Indonesian government has estimated that just about four hundred or lesser Sumatran tigers now remain in the wild.