Focus On: the Sumatran Tiger

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February is tiger month. The 14th sees the start of the Chinese Year of the Tiger. FFI works in Indonesia’s Kerinci Seblat National Park to combat Sumatran tiger poaching and protect the big cat’s habitat through patrolling.

Sumatran tiger quick facts

IUCN Red List status: Critically endangered.
Fewer than 400 exist in the wild
Hunts ungulates such as wild boar and deer species but will take other prey opportunistically
Threats - Habitat loss due to expansion of oil palm plantations, acacia plantations and small holder encroachment. Poaching and illegal trade, depletion of prey, revenge killings through unresolved human-wildlife conflict
Smallest of all the tigers. Its stripes are narrower than other tiger subspecies and it has a more bearded and maned appearance.
Generally very shy and seeks to avoid people.
150 tigers live in and around Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP), making it the largest known population and one of 12 Global Priorities for tiger conservation

IYB Issue: Illegal Wildlife Trade

One of the main threats to Sumatran tigers is poaching. Hunters trap or shoot them for their skin and bones, which are in high demand by Asian traditional medicine while there is still demand for skins both in Indonesia and overseas.

In fact, the illegal trade in wildlife is a massive threat to global biodiversity. Exotic fish, birds, and many other animals are stolen for use in the pet trade while illegal harvesting of plants – including trees – affects many habitats worldwide.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to control the trade. For example, any trade in tiger parts is illegal. CITES is an important tool in the fight against biodiversity loss.

“In the last three years we have seen clear indications of a recovery in tiger populations in areas where our Tiger Protection & Conservation Units patrol. Undercover investigations by rangers followed by successful law enforcement is a clear and effective deterrent to wildlife criminals.”

- Debbie Martyr, FFI Team Leader of Kerinci Tiger Project

Did you know?

Kerinci Seblat National Park is one of the few protected areas in Asia where, park-wide, tiger encounter records have stabilized since 2007 and are now increasing. This is due to the improved protection by the FFI-supported Tiger Protection & Conservation Programme.

Learn more about our tiger work

Learn more about the Sumatran tiger

What can you do to help the Sumatran tiger?

Check the label. Expansion of oil palm plantations is one of the most serious threats to Sumatran tigers. Try to avoid buying products that contain palm oil, or buy one with sustainably sourced palm oil (with the GreenPalm ecolabel).

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