This is the smallest subspecies of tiger, weighing a maximum of only 140 kilograms. Despite this, they can take down prey up to four times their size, including small elephants, gaurs (large wild cattle) and tapirs, alongside smaller prey such as deer and monkeys. Cubs start hunting by themselves by eighteen months old – until then, they accompany their mothers on her hunts. Sumatran tigers have webbing between their paws, making them strong swimmers, and they sleep for up to twenty hours per day.
Fun Fact – Their whiskers can detect changes in air currents, helping the tiger to find food sources, judge distances and navigate small spaces!
-
Ecology
-
Threats
The primary threat to Sumatran tigers is organised, transnational poaching for their skin, bones and meat for trade and use in traditional medicine practices. Prey depletion is also an issue, forcing tigers to hunt closer to human settlements; this means they may predate on livestock, leading to human-wildlife conflict and retaliatory killings. Snares laid to catch pigs and deer can also injure tigers and other wildlife. Tiger habitat is also being lost to palm oil plantations, which isolates populations from each other; this means that inbreeding becomes more severe, which in turn leaves individuals more susceptible to diseases.
-
Conservation
The Global Tiger Initiative, a strategy which aims to double wild populations of every tiger species, was established in 2010. Actions resulting from this include habitat management, reducing poaching and illegal trade of tigers and engaging with local communities and indigenous communities. 20% of tiger habitats are now protected, although more action is needed to create wildlife corridors between populations. Nature’s SAFE stores samples to safeguard the future of this endangered flagship species.
Take action today
Together we can end the extinction crisis
Preserved January 2024
Help us turn the tide on extinction
At least 50 distinct genetic lines are needed to save each species.
On average, it takes £100 to preserve cell and tissue sample from one animal. That’s at least £5,000 to preserve an entire species.
Make a monthly donation to safeguard the future of our natural world.
Donate Now
Fundraise for us
Sponsor a Fundraising Hero embarking on a challenge, or plan your own fundraiser to support us.
Get Started
Corporate participation
Explore opportunities to develop a corporate partnership with us.
Get Started
Babirusa
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
Owston’s palm civet
Total Population: Unknown
Capybara
Total Population: Unknown
Black-naped fruit dove
Total Population: Unknown
Red-footed tortoise
Total Population: Unknown
Siamang Gibbon
Total Population: Around 22,000 in the wild
Arctic wolf
Total Population: Around 200,000 in the wild
Bolivian squirrel monkey
Total Population: Unknown
Clouded Leopard
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
White naped mangabey
Total Population: Around 1,000 in the wild
Nile Lechwe
Total Population: 30,000 - 40,000 in the wild
Caribbean flamingo
Total Population: 150,000 to 205,000 in the wild
Common Hippo
Total Population: Less than 150,000 in the wild
Southern white rhino
Total Population: Around 15,000 in the wild
Black howler monkey
Total Population: Less than 5,000 in the wild
Red Panda
Total Population: Less than 10,000 in the wild
Wolverine
Total Population: Around 13,000 in the wild
Spix’s night monkey
Total Population: Unknown
Senegal galago
Total Population: Unknown
Macaroni Penguin
Total Population: Around 12 million