Sumatran tiger survey

Sumatran tiger conservation is dependent on accurate estimates and trends of their populations. However, obtaining data on this critically endangered species is extremely challenging because they occur at very low densities in even the best protected, most prey-rich habitats.

It is therefore not surprising that the 3-4 month “snapshot” camera-trap surveys – which comprise most Sumatran tiger studies to date – result in imprecise estimates. Cumulatively, these estimates do not paint a very clear picture of Sumatran tiger status. For example, the most recent island-wide estimate is 173-883 tigers – a range that varies by over 500%.

Hutan Harimau is committed to conducting multi-year surveys to inform more accurate estimation of Sumatran tiger numbers. Only with multi-year surveys can we make better estimates of tiger populations.