The Sumatran tiger, numbering fewer than 400 individuals in the wild, is found exclusively on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the last stronghold for tigers in Indonesia. Accelerating deforestation and rampant poaching across the Sumatran tiger's range mean that unless authorities enforce the law, this subspecies will soon follow the fate of its extinct Javan and Balinese relatives.
Sumatran tiger
The Sumatran tiger is one of many species living in Indonesia's recently established protected areas.
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Common Name
Sumatran tiger; Tigre de Sumatra (Fr); Tigre de Sumatra (Sp)
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Scientific Name
Panthera tigris sumatrae
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Status
IUCN: Critically Endangered C2a(i); CITES: Appendix I
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Population
Fewer than 400 individuals
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Weight
Males: 100-140 kg; Females: 75-110 kg
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Height
up to 60 cm
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Length
up to 250 cm
Where does the Sumatran tiger live?
From mountains to swamps
As indicated by their name, Sumatran tigers live on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a WWF Priority Region.
The subspecies inhabits montane forests, the remaining blocks of the island's lowland forest, peat swamps, and freshwater swamp forests.
It is estimated that Sumatra has approximately 130,000 km2 of remaining habitat for tigers, only one-third of which has some form of protection from development and logging.
As indicated by their name, Sumatran tigers live on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a WWF Priority Region.
The subspecies inhabits montane forests, the remaining blocks of the island's lowland forest, peat swamps, and freshwater swamp forests.
It is estimated that Sumatra has approximately 130,000 km2 of remaining habitat for tigers, only one-third of which has some form of protection from development and logging.
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range states
Indonesia (Sumatra)
Geographical location
Western Indonesia
Ecological region
Sumatran Islands Lowland and Montane Forests, Sundaland Rivers and Swamps
Indo-Malayan
Range states
Indonesia (Sumatra)
Geographical location
Western Indonesia
Ecological region
Sumatran Islands Lowland and Montane Forests, Sundaland Rivers and Swamps
Sumatran tiger population
Falling numbers
The wild Sumatran tiger population is estimated at fewer than 400 individuals.
Dutch colonists in the early 20th century report that tigers were so numerous and bold that they would enter the planters' estate house compounds.
A 1978 estimate put the population of Sumatran tigers at 1,000.
Today the wild population is estimated at fewer than 400 individuals.
Over half the population is found in the Kerinci Seblat - Bukit Barisan Selatan landscape, which stretches from Tesso Nilo in Riau to Bukit Tigapuluh, and then from Kerinci Seblat to Bukit Barisan Selatan.
The wild Sumatran tiger population is estimated at fewer than 400 individuals.
Dutch colonists in the early 20th century report that tigers were so numerous and bold that they would enter the planters' estate house compounds.
A 1978 estimate put the population of Sumatran tigers at 1,000.
Today the wild population is estimated at fewer than 400 individuals.
Over half the population is found in the Kerinci Seblat - Bukit Barisan Selatan landscape, which stretches from Tesso Nilo in Riau to Bukit Tigapuluh, and then from Kerinci Seblat to Bukit Barisan Selatan.
Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)
Threats to Sumatran tigers
Sumatran tigers are fast losing habitat and prey, and poaching shows no sign of decline.
Large-scale habitat loss
Habitat for the Sumatran tiger has been drastically reduced by logging, clearing for agriculture and plantations, and settlement.
Indonesian forestry officials acknowledge that in many parts of the island, illegal timber harvesting and forest conversion are out of control.
Approximately 67,000 km² of forest was lost in Sumatra from 1985 to 1997, most of this being lowland rainforest. Moreover, the annual rate of forest loss has been increasing across Indonesia.
Today, around 130,000km² of tiger habitat remains on Sumatra, with just 42,000km² of this protected as some form of conservation area.
Even protected areas face problems. National parks have been isolated from one another through logging and forest conversion, and as a result there is little to no interchange and gene flow between the separated tiger populations.
Coming into conflict with people
Habitat destruction not only reduces tiger numbers, but also prey. As a result, tigers move into settled areas in search of food, where they are more likely to come into conflict with people.
Indeed, human-tiger conflict is a serious problem in Sumatra compared to other parts of the tiger's global range. People have been killed or wounded, and livestock fall prey to tigers. Retaliatory action by villagers can result in the killing of the tiger.
Hunted for skins and bones
Although the numbers of tigers incidentally killed or as a result of human-tiger conflict are significant, most tigers in Sumatra are apparently killed deliberately for commercial gain.
According to a TRAFFIC survey, poaching for trade is responsible for over 78% of estimated Sumatran tiger deaths, consisting of at least 40 animals per year and possibly higher.
Moreover, there is no evidence that tiger poaching has declined significantly since the early 1990s. This is despite intensified conservation and protection measures in Sumatra, and the apparent success globally in curtailing markets for tiger bone.
Large-scale habitat loss
Habitat for the Sumatran tiger has been drastically reduced by logging, clearing for agriculture and plantations, and settlement.
Indonesian forestry officials acknowledge that in many parts of the island, illegal timber harvesting and forest conversion are out of control.
Approximately 67,000 km² of forest was lost in Sumatra from 1985 to 1997, most of this being lowland rainforest. Moreover, the annual rate of forest loss has been increasing across Indonesia.
Today, around 130,000km² of tiger habitat remains on Sumatra, with just 42,000km² of this protected as some form of conservation area.
Even protected areas face problems. National parks have been isolated from one another through logging and forest conversion, and as a result there is little to no interchange and gene flow between the separated tiger populations.
Coming into conflict with people
Habitat destruction not only reduces tiger numbers, but also prey. As a result, tigers move into settled areas in search of food, where they are more likely to come into conflict with people.
Indeed, human-tiger conflict is a serious problem in Sumatra compared to other parts of the tiger's global range. People have been killed or wounded, and livestock fall prey to tigers. Retaliatory action by villagers can result in the killing of the tiger.
Hunted for skins and bones
Although the numbers of tigers incidentally killed or as a result of human-tiger conflict are significant, most tigers in Sumatra are apparently killed deliberately for commercial gain.
According to a TRAFFIC survey, poaching for trade is responsible for over 78% of estimated Sumatran tiger deaths, consisting of at least 40 animals per year and possibly higher.
Moreover, there is no evidence that tiger poaching has declined significantly since the early 1990s. This is despite intensified conservation and protection measures in Sumatra, and the apparent success globally in curtailing markets for tiger bone.
Illegal logging for paper industry and forest clearing for palm oil plantation. Tesso Nilo, Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia.
Sumatran tiger skin confiscated at villager’s house in Pelangiran sub-district, District of Indragiri Hilir, Riau, Central Sumatra. Police and forestry officials now investigating the tiger killings, as there are indications of poaching as well.
Learn more about this video: Camera traps yield first-time film of tigress and cubs
What is WWF doing?
Working in collaboration with other leading conservation organizations in Sumatra and local governments, WWF has set precedents in "tiger wins", including successfully lobbying corporate partners and the government to declare an important area, Tesso Nilo, as a national park.
WWF works to decrease wild Sumatran tiger poaching incidences in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park and decrease the market demand for tiger parts in big cities in Indonesia. WWF also works to improve the capability of law enforcement officers to identify tiger parts.
WWF projects that support this work:
WWF works to decrease wild Sumatran tiger poaching incidences in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park and decrease the market demand for tiger parts in big cities in Indonesia. WWF also works to improve the capability of law enforcement officers to identify tiger parts.
WWF projects that support this work:
Tx2 - we want to double the number of tigers in the wild
You can help
- Visit this page for a full list of actions you can take to help protect tigers and support our Tiger Campaign.
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