Palm oil is not the problem; unsustainable palm oil production practices are.
The Sumatran tiger belongs to the Panthera tigris group and lives on the biodiverse island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The Sumatran tiger is only found in Indonesia where tigers, rhinos, orangutans, and elephants live together indicating forest health. Sumatran tigers' fur color is darker than other species and black strips are present on the whole body. Adult Sumatran tigers reach up to 308 pounds and are 2.5m long from head to tail. The Sumatran tiger can run 65km/hr in a forest. Sumatran tigers need at least 2500 hectares of adequate land to roam freely. Aside from mother and child time, tigers are lone explorers and need large areas for breeding, feeding, and dispersing.
What is the population of the Sumatran tiger in Indonesia?
The population of the Sumatran tigers in Indonesia is approximately 400, which makes them critically endangered. In Sunda, the Sumatran tiger is the only tiger species that survived, while Bali and Java tigers were extinct on Sunda island.
Why is the Sumatran tiger endangered in Indonesia?
There are different reasons for a decrease in the population of the Sumatran tiger in Indonesia, such as
1. Deforestation due to illegal logging
Indonesia, a heavily forested nation, is the world's third-largest tropical rainforest. Natural resources like timber are highly sought after. 219 million cubic meters of timber were supplied across the world illegally from 1991 to 2014. During this time, Indonesian deforestation resulted in a loss of about 2.3 million hectares a year. Due to a lack of forest management and law enforcement, extreme deforestation leads to the destruction of tiger habitats and ultimately decreases the Sumatran tiger population.
2. Poaching
Sumatran tigers were already decreasing due to deforestation and habitat destruction; illegal trafficking and killing of Sumatran tigers worsened the situation. 80% of Sumatran tiger deaths are due to poaching for trade -- that's 40 tigers a year. Officials say that wildlife traffickers and poachers don’t involve themselves directly so, they work diligently to identify the main buyers. Ultimately this network seeks tiger bones, skin, claws, teeth, and blood for use in unsustainable practices. There are repeat offenders who have already served time and owe fines, but more work can be done to end wildlife sales on the black market.
3. Prey base depletion
With deforestation, the number of plants decreased, and the population of other animals also reduced. Illegal hunting of prey was also one reason for prey base depletion. Due to a decrease in prey, the forest faces a loss in tiger population. Tigers are carnivores, so their diet is dependent on available livestock including fish, monkeys, deer, and other mammals. Humans are also hunting for the same animals.
4. Human-tiger conflicts
Anytime we clear natural, wildlife habitats for urban development, there is a chance we will encounter animal life. In Indonesia, locals can call for help from authorities or tiger handlers, but tigers continuously visit farmlands and villages seeking food and water. To protect crops and livestock, villagers place boar traps, but tigers get caught and have been reported severely injured or sometimes killed. Boar traps are used in the wild too. Some locals depend on boar traps to feed their families placing these dangerous traps in the wild. Unfortunately, precious tigers and other wild animals are caught in them too.
5. Palm oil plantation
In Indonesia, rain forests were cut down and burned to clear the land for palm oil tree plantations. Flora and Fauna were badly disturbed in deforested areas where .90% of habitat loss occurred due to palm oil plantations. Loss of forest due to palm oil forestation translates into biodiversity loss. The demand for Indonesian palm oil is high, but there are other palm oil resources to occupy sustainably. There must be a stronger dedication to reforestation and sustainable palm seed farming.
How does palm oil impact the Sumatran tiger?
In Indonesia, farmers plant palm oil trees at the cost of biodiverse tropical forests. Excessive plantations of one specie create an imbalance in biodiversity. The loss of habitat resulted in a decrease in the population of prey for tigers. So collectively, the population of major predators of forests decreased. There is a call to balance environmental realities with our social and economic needs.
Why did IUCN add the Sumatran tiger to the list of endangered species?
The population of the Sumatran tiger reached an extremely low number due to loss of habitat and prey. Sumatran tigers' number reduced to 400, and they could be extinct in a few years. In 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) added the Sumatran tiger to the list of critically endangered species. This step was taken to conserve the Sumatran tiger by saving shelter and creating a favorable environment for wildlife and reproduction.
Why is Sumatran tiger conservation important?
Sumatran tigers are unique animals and are very important in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem in Indonesian forests. The diversity of animals is mainly dependent on the population of tigers which are major predators in the forests.
Tigers keep balance in forests by controlling the population of their prey. If we lose tigers in any forest, the number of prey will increase. Overpopulation of prey in a forest can cause overgrazing, which leads to forest degradation. The number of tigers is decreasing at an alarming rate. Some tigers are known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity, or within a naturalized population. Thankfully there are still enough Sumatran tigers to roam the wild and be a part of the natural ecosystem. It is essential to conserve this specie for the sustainability of forests and biodiversity.
How can the palm oil industry prevent their impact on the Sumatran tiger population?
In Indonesia, the palm oil industry can prevent the impact of palm oil on tigers through sustainable palm oil production. There is now a global standard for sustainable palm oil
called the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil or RSPO. Companies go through a strict verification process and regular audits to certify that sourcing is ethical.
How can a community play its role in conserving the Sumatran tiger?
The community has a vital role in the success of any environmental project, so involvement of the community in tiger conservation projects is essential. Communities and their officials can play a role by stopping deforestation and reducing the conflicts between tigers and human encounters. They can assist its government in implementing policies and giving valuable information about tigers’ population. Locals can also safeguard their tigers by keeping an eye on the illegal killing of tigers in their area.
Ethical shopping is another helpful tool that relies on community choices. Consumer demand should shift more in favor of sustainable palm, pulp and paper, and timber production and manufacturing.
Guidelines for Sumatran tiger conservation
Tiger Habitat: Law enforcement and local officials have to continue addressing the issue of encroachment, logging, and deforestation. Developing buffer zone areas and surveillance will help protect parameters that are off-limits.
Human-Tiger Relations: Educate communities about tiger-proof livestock enclosure and livestock management. Provide personal safety advice and procedures during human and tiger interaction.
More Scientific Data: Build on the tiger population data that evaluates and monitors tiger activity like WWF's camera traps. Work with officials and scientists on formulating measurable target populations for Sumatran tigers.
Law Enforcement: Enforce policies that combat the wildlife trade network. Use technology-assisted investigations and research to document illegal activity. Shut down tiger farms that abuse tigers and hold them captive for the purposes of breeding and commercial trade of tiger parts.
Final Remarks
The population of the Sumatran tiger in Indonesia is on the verge of extinction. Deforestation due to palm oil is a significant source of decreased tiger population in Indonesia. The palm oil industry should try to grow their trees sustainably, not at the cost of destruction of the Sumatran tiger habitat. All approved tiger conservation projects should be supported to protect this majestic animal. With continuous efforts, one day will come when the number of a tiger will increase in Indonesia.
