The Sunda tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) is a distinct tiger subspecies. It is the smallest of all living tiger subspecies, with males averaging around 2.3 meters long and weighing up to 140 kilograms, while females are slightly smaller. These tigers possess darker orange fur with heavy black stripes that are closer together than those found on other tiger populations. This critically endangered animal is identified by a prominent ruff, particularly noticeable in males.
Sumatra: The Modern Home
Sumatra, an Indonesian island, serves as the only remaining natural habitat for the Sunda tiger. This large island is characterized by a tropical climate, consistently warm and humid throughout the year. Its diverse geography, including the Bukit Barisan mountain range and extensive lowland plains, provides dense vegetation and varied terrain suitable for tigers and their prey. Sumatra’s ecosystem, home to rhinos, orangutans, and elephants, is their last stronghold.
Inside Their Forest Habitats
Within Sumatra, Sunda tigers inhabit a variety of dense forest types. They primarily prefer tropical broadleaf evergreen forests, including lowland and hill forests. Tigers also occupy freshwater swamp forests and peat swamps, though typically at lower densities due to less available prey in these waterlogged areas. Their presence extends into rugged montane forests, reaching elevations of up to 3,200 meters in some areas, although these higher altitudes support fewer tigers than lowland habitats.
Sunda tigers are strong swimmers and often use rivers and lakes to cool down, making proximity to water sources important. Several protected areas across Sumatra, including Gunung Leuser, Kerinci Seblat, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Parks (part of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra UNESCO World Heritage Site), serve as vital refuges. These parks offer protection from human disturbances and habitat fragmentation.
Historical Distribution: Beyond Sumatra
The historical range of the Sunda tiger extended beyond present-day Sumatra, encompassing other Indonesian islands where distinct tiger populations once thrived. These included the Javan tiger, Panthera tigris sondaica, found on Java, and the Balinese tiger, Panthera tigris balica, native to Bali. While once considered separate subspecies, genetic similarities now often group them under the broader Sunda tiger umbrella. These island populations evolved in isolation after rising sea levels separated the Sunda Islands following the last Ice Age.
Both the Javan and Balinese tigers faced extinction due to a combination of factors, primarily habitat loss and human conflict. On Java, the conversion of natural forests for agricultural land, particularly for rice, teak, coffee, and rubber plantations, severely reduced tiger habitat. The Balinese tiger, confined to a smaller island, was particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction driven by agricultural expansion and relentless hunting. The last confirmed Javan tiger sighting occurred in 1976, while the last Balinese tiger was shot in 1937, illustrating the significant contraction of the Sunda tiger’s historical range.