Human arrogance and greed have caused the extinction of two out of the three sub-species of tiger that were once found in Indonesia.
The tiger is the largest cat species in the world. Sumatran tiger, one of the tiger sub-species that still exists today in Indonesia. The skin color is usually darker, ranging from reddish-yellow to dark orange, and the stripes are denser. The Sumatran tiger is classified as Critically Endangered.
Balinese Tiger (Panthera tigris Balinica)
The Bali tiger was the first sub-species to become extinct. Before the arrival of the Dutch to the archipelago, the Balinese tiger was highly feared and respected by the local population. However, the Dutch and European society at that time considered hunting wild animals as a prestige, which led to the decline in the Balinese tiger population. The last Bali tiger was shot in the Sumber Kima area of West Bali on September 27, 1937. This sub-species was then declared extinct in 1938.
Javanese Tiger (Panthera tigris Sodaica)
The Javanese tiger was the second sub-species to become extinct. The clearing of forest land in Java in the early 1800s for plantations disturbed the habitat of the Javanese tiger, leading to conflicts between tigers and humans. Due to the many conflicts between the Javanese tigers and humans, hunting became increasingly massive. The population of Javan tigers declined to only 200-300 individuals by the early 1940s, and continued to decline thereafter. The last Javan tiger was officially announced to be in Meru Betiri National Park, East Java in 1976. After that, the tiger disappeared and was finally declared extinct in the early 1980s. Although it is occasionally reported to be seen in mountainous forests on the island of Java, its presence cannot be verified yet.
Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris Sumatrae)
Currently, the only tiger sub-species found in Indonesia is the Sumatran tiger. The population of Sumatran tigers is estimated to be only around 400-500 individuals living in forests of Sumatra (national parks). Their food source depends on their habitat, with wild boar, deer, birds, and fish being their main prey. Sumatran tigers live in various habitats ranging from lowland forests to mountain forests and also in many unprotected areas. Approximately 250 more Sumatran tigers live in various zoos around the world.
Sumatran tiger physical characteristics: The black markings on this particular sub-species of Sumatran tiger are wide, closely spaced, and aligned. Additionally, compared to other sub-species of tigers, this one has a more prominent beard and mane. Adult male Sumatran tigers of this sub-species measure approximately 250 cm in length (from head to toe) and weigh around 140 kg.
The Sumatran tiger, classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Redlist, receives protection under Law no. 5 of 1990 in Indonesia, which pertains to the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems. However, the primary challenge to the conservation of this animal lies in land degradation and habitat destruction, which exacerbates conflicts with humans, such as attacks on livestock or direct confrontations. Additionally, Sumatran tigers are hunted for their body parts, which are often traded illegally for use in traditional medicine or as art items. As a result, it remains uncertain whether the Sumatran tiger will avoid the fate of its two extinct brethren and endure into the future.
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