Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Sumatran tiger

The Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) liv only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and are extremely endangered.

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.

6 comments:

  1. Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my Blog ?

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  2. Of course I would be glad, that more people spread the word about the conservation of these amazing animals.

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  3. Right now the Sumatran Tigers are listed among the three sub-species of the Tiger which are extinct. So does it mean that even before a year of your report could be complete, the sumatran cat has actually disappeared? Well, if this is really true as to how it has been listed, then this does call for an alarm for the whole world to wake up!

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  4. Very nice thanks for this awesome information....

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