Habitat: Broadleaf forests, swamps and grasslands of Sumatra
Status: Critically endangered
DAK Locale: Maharajah Jungle Trek
One of the newest species to call Animal Kingdom home is also one of its rarest. This species of tiger is found only in isolated pockets on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is the smallest of the 5 remaining subspecies of tiger which is likely due to living in the dense undergrowth of the Indonesian jungle. Full grown males top out at about 300 pounds, compared to Siberian tiger males that can exceed 600 pounds. They are distinguishable not only by their size but by their large dark stripes and deeper color of orange.
Like all tigers, they hunt and generally live alone. They kill by stalking their prey until they are close and can ambush. The dinner menu includes the large mammals of the island, such as deer and boar. They are also good in water, as Sumatran tigers have partially webbed toes.
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Mothers give birth to up to 5 cubs. These cubs weigh only about 2 pounds and are blind. After 2 months, the mother starts to wean them from milk and begins introducing meat. The cubs will stay with the mother until about 18 months of age when they are ready to find their own territory.
Like all tiger species, they suffer from illegal poaching for fur and Asian folk medicines even though it is illegal in Indonesia. Penalties of fines and jail time are significant for tiger poaching but it is difficult as law enforcement is very understaffed with a bare bones budget. There are only between 300 and 400 animals left in the wild and they are in fragmented gene pools due to heavy deforestation on the island. Genetic diversity is becoming an increasingly difficult problem. The deforestation and population growth has led to another serious issue - increasing conflicts with man. Attacks on people are more common now simply because there are more people near tiger habitat. There are also increases in the number of livestock killed by tigers as food for the cats runs out. It is becoming an untenable situation.
At Animal Kingdom they recently added a female, yes? And for now she and the male are in separate but close enclosures? The hope is to bread these two I assume. Fingers crossed!
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