Sumatran Tiger
The smallest and darkest tiger subspecies — and the last tiger to survive on an Indonesian island
No photo available for Sumatran Tiger
Population
Around 400 individuals
Location
Sumatra, Indonesia
Overview
The Sumatran tiger is the last surviving member of the Sunda Island tiger group — the Balinese and Javan tigers went extinct in the 20th century. Around 400 remain in fragmented forest patches across Sumatra, threatened by one of the fastest deforestation rates on Earth. They're the smallest tiger subspecies, with darker stripes spaced more closely together than mainland tigers, adapted for the dense jungle environment.
Why they're at risk
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Rapid deforestation for palm oil, pulp, and paper plantations has destroyed and fragmented habitat across Sumatra — reducing and isolating tiger populations.
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Human-tiger conflict as tigers enter farmland borders, resulting in retaliatory killing.
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Poaching for skins and bones for traditional medicine markets in China and Southeast Asia.
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The small, isolated population size creates genetic bottlenecks that reduce disease resistance and reproductive viability.
Reasons for hope
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Indonesia has established several protected reserves including Kerinci Seblat National Park, which holds the largest single Sumatran tiger population.
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Camera trap surveys have documented breeding pairs and cubs in multiple forest blocks, confirming active reproduction.
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Zero-deforestation commitments from major palm oil companies — under sustained consumer and NGO pressure — have slowed habitat loss in some regions.
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Tiger monitoring programs using camera traps and GPS collars now track individual tigers, enabling rapid response to poaching and conflict incidents.