My name is Rachael and I run Animal Travels which is a blog aimed at spreading awareness about wildlife and conservation. I’ve been given the honour of teaming up with Katzenworld to bring you a guest post showcasing the plight of the Sumatran Tiger and the conservation work that is being done to save this subspecies. I hope you enjoy this post!
Tigers worldwide are struggling to survive as a species; the Sumatran Tiger however is having the most difficult time. This subspecies of tiger is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN Red List.
Native to Indonesia (specifically Sumatra) The Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is genetically and morphologically distinct from the other mainland tigers. Sumatran Tigers are the smallest subspecies of tiger worldwide reaching similar sizes to leopards and jaguars. Visually the Sumatran Tiger has darker fur and broader stripes than the Javan Tiger and also has a higher frequency of stripes than other tiger species. Sumatran Tigers are also the only tiger subspecies that has stripes that dissolve into spots around the tail and legs.
With only around 400 individuals left in the wild it is obvious that this subspecies is facing some major threats to their survival. The human expansion of oil palm and Acacia plantations is encroaching onto the natural range of the Sumatran Tiger causing a reduction in their territory and ultimately their hunting range. Also, humans are also capturing the Sumatran Tigers for illegal trade, selling the majestic animals as pets to willing buyers.
Over the years there have been many projects set up to try and save the Sumatran Tiger, this includes both in-situ and ex-situ conservation projects. Breeding projects are a important aspect of ex-situ conservation and there have been Sumatran Tiger cubs born at both Chester Zoo and London Zoo in recent years. Most recently the Batu Nanggar Sanctuary was opened in November 2016 at North Padang Lawas Regency in North Sumatra.
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Thanks for informing us. I hope some of my WWF donation goes to these sanctuaries.
I hope so too. These poor tigers are in desperate need of help so any donation is important and can make a difference! Thanks for caring for wildlife!
For a number of years the US postal service has been selling semi-postal first class “save the Sumatran tiger stamps”. They cost a bit more than first class (60 cents vs 49), with the difference going to the tigers. The other semi-postal stamp they sell is for breast cancer research. Personally I have no connection to the post office! Who mails things in a letterbox anymore?
Since 2012 they claim to have raised $1.74 millions.
It’s nice to know that US Postal Service is issuing these stamps. Buying that 11 cents extra stamps has made such a massive change!
Thanks for commenting!
Although when I started buying them I knew nothing of these tigers. I still use them and perhaps people who see them will want some as they are attractive with the tiger head.
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