Sumatran tiger - Threats

A symbol of conservation under immediate threat

Poaching is one of the biggest threats to the survival of Sumatran tigers. At the same time, their habitat and prey are rapidly vanishing. Approximately 67,000 km² of forest was lost in Sumatra from 1985 to 1997, most of this being lowland rainforest, and the annual rate of forest loss has been increasing across Indonesia.

Habitat loss and fragmentation...
Habitat destruction reduces both tigers and its prey. As a result tigers move into settled areas in search of food, where they are more likely to get killed. National parks in Sumatra have been isolated from one another through logging and conversion of forest to plantations and agriculture, and as a result there is little to no interchange and gene flow between the separated tiger populations.

In addition, large-scale habitat conversion to commercial plantation is rapidly eating away natural forests. Illegal logging is also prevalent in much of Sumatra. Pulp and paper mills in Sumatra heavily depend upon fibre collected from tropical rainforests.

... and resulting human-tiger conflict
One of the consequences of habitat loss is increased human-tiger conflicts, a serious problem in Sumatra compared to other parts of the tiger's global range. While people have been killed or wounded, livestock also fall prey to tigers. Retaliatory action by villagers can result in the killing of the tiger.
Find out more about habitat loss and degradation

Illegal trade
Sumatran tigers are protected by law in Indonesia, with tough provisions for jail time and steep fines. Although there have been increased efforts in tiger conservation, including law enforcement and anti-poaching capacity, a 2004 report by TRAFFIC demonstrates the existence of a substantial market for tiger parts and products in Sumatra.

Only 29 per cent of towns surveyed did not have tiger parts for sale, while a total of 453 retail shops were reported to have tiger parts for sale, primarily canines and claws. Most trade in skins and bones was carried on in a covert manner by a variety of dealers.

Most tigers in Sumatra are apparently killed deliberately for commercial gain. Despite considerable efforts by numerous conservation organizations at the regional, national and international level, and a decrease in prices for Sumatran tiger bone, TRAFFIC reports that tiger poaching has not declined significantly over the past decade.

In fact, tiger bone and other tiger parts are reportedly still smuggled out of Sumatra. Traders report that tiger parts are sold to Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and China. Singapore and Malaysia may act as transit countries as well as consumers for tiger parts.
Find out more about wildlife trade