Wednesday, June 2, 2010
It is the smallest of all living tiger subspecies, adult males in the wild reach a weight between 100–140 kg (220–310 lb), and females 75–110 kg (170–240 lb). Their small size is adaptation to the thick, dense forests of the island of Sumatra, where they live, as well as the smaller-sized prey.
Estimated population in the wild is between 400 and 500, seen chiefly in the island's national parks. Recent genetic research has shown the presence of unique genetic markers, indicating that it may develop into a separate species, if it does not go extinct. This has led to suggestions that Sumatran tigers should have greater priority for conservation than any other subspecies.
While habitat destruction is the main threat to existing tiger population (logging continues even in the supposedly protected national parks), 66 tigers were recorded as being shot and killed between 1998 and 2000, or nearly 20% of the total population.