Sumatran tiger population continues to decline as loss of prey and habitat becomes a threat
The Sumatran tiger is the only surviving tiger subspecies in Indonesia, now found only on Sumatra. However, its existence is increasingly threatened by shrinking forests and the decline of prey in the wild.
This situation was highlighted by Prof Ani Mardiastuti, Professor at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment at IPB University, in the IPB Podcast on IPB TV’s YouTube channel. She explained that in recent years the population of the Sumatran tiger has shown a downward trend.
‘Its numbers are not increasing, not staying the same, but decreasing. Tigers are apex predators; finding food is difficult. The forests have also diminished,’ she said.
According to Prof Ani, the reduction in forest habitat and the decline in the deer population—the main prey—are the main factors pressing the survival of this apex predator.
This role is very important because apex predators help maintain the balance of populations of other wildlife, especially herbivores. In this way, the balance of the ecosystem and biodiversity in the forest can be maintained.
Without the presence of apex predators, the population of herbivores could increase uncontrollably. As a result, forest vegetation can be damaged due to overgrazing.
When this happens, conflicts between humans and wildlife are often unavoidable. A hungry tiger sometimes preys on villagers’ livestock.
‘Actually, the community are not anti-tiger. They are just afraid because their livestock is taken. Here lies the dilemma between human safety and wildlife conservation,’ said Prof Ani.
This situation shows that conflicts are not solely because people do not care about conservation, but because of economic needs and a sense of security.
As a result of these changes, wildlife not only lose their habitat but also their natural food sources. Tigers under pressure often end up captured or relocated following conflicts with humans.
These measures are indeed aimed at reducing conflicts, but in the long term they can accelerate the decline of the tiger population in the wild.