The cat family is in danger of extinction
Tigers are a staple of zoos around the world and have fascinated humans for centuries. Yet despite their popularity, tigers are one of the most threatened species in the world.
The following 6 rarest tiger species on the planet are all at risk of extinction at dangerous or extremely endangered levels.
One species of tiger on this red list is even now considered extinct in the wild, with a small number of individuals in captivity.
While there are many factors contributing to the decline of the world’s wild tiger populations, the greatest threat tigers face is from human activities, including illegal hunting, The living environment is shrinking and being killed by humans.
It is hoped that raising awareness about the current plight of tigers can contribute to the conservation of this powerful animal.
1. Southern Chinese Tiger
Current population estimate: Essentially extinct in the wild, but about 100 or more exist in captivity.
Habitat: Southeast China – mainly in the Hainan Wet Forest.
Current conservation status: Critically endangered.
Scientific name: Panthera tigris amoyensis.
The South China tiger has been declared “essentially extinct” in the wild by scientists, making it the rarest tiger in the world. While South China Tigers have not been seen in the wild for more than 25 years, there are about 100 tigers in captivity and breeding programs are still underway.
It was previously thought that the captive population of Chinese Southern Tigers was too small and lacked genetic diversity, but since the start of centralized manual publication several years ago, there is some hope that Southern Tigers China may be brought back to the wild in the future.
In the early 1950s, it was estimated that there were about 4,000 wild South China tigers, but those numbers have decreased significantly over several decades. Thousands of South China tigers have been killed as “pests” and many more have died because of habitat degradation.
The skull of the South China tiger is different from all other extant tiger species. Therefore, the South China tiger is considered the primordial tiger from which all other modern tiger species evolved.
2. Malayan Tiger
Current expected number: 250 – 340.
Habitat: Southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula; southern tip of Thailand.
Current conservation status: Critically endangered.
Scientific name: Panthera tigris jacksoni.
Before 2004, the Malayan Tiger was classified as the same species as the Indochinese Tiger. However, after genetic analysis, it was determined that the Malayan Tiger was its own subspecies and it was named Panthera tigris jacksoni, in honor of Peter Jackson, a famous tiger conservationist (not Catholic). famous movie actor).
As its name suggests, the Malayan Tiger is mainly found in the southern and central parts of Peninsular Malaysia. There are also small populations of Malayan Tigers in the southern tip of Thailand. The biggest threat to the Malayan Tiger population is due to deforestation for excessive logging and road construction, causing forests to shrink.
In the Malay language, the Malayan Tiger is called harimau, often shortened to rimau.
3. Indochinese tiger
Current expected number: about 350 animals
Place of residence: Myanmar; Thailand; Laos; Vietnam; Cambodia; Southwest China (possibly extinct in this area).
Current conservation status: Critical.
Scientific name: Panthera tigris corbetti.
Indochinese tigers are native to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Southwest China. However, scientists believe that the Indochinese tiger may have become extinct in China as no individuals have been sighted in the area in recent years.
Research also suggests that there may not be any purebred Indochinese Tigers left in Cambodia and Vietnam.
Although all tiger species are quite mysterious, Indochinese tigers are solitary and elusive, so little is known about this animal’s behavior in the wild. Of all the remaining tiger subspecies, the Indochinese Tiger is the least represented in the captive population. Since the Malayan Tiger was separated into its own subspecies in 2004, there are reportedly fewer Indochinese tigers in zoos around the world than before.
The Indochinese Tiger’s scientific name, Panthera tigris corbetti, pays homage to Jim Corbett, a British hunter who took down man-eating tigers and leopards in India, but later became a conservationist.
4. Sumatran tiger
Current expected number: 400 – 600.
Habitat: Sumatra, Indonesia (Sunda Islands).
Current conservation status: Critically endangered.
Scientific name: Panthera tigris sumatrae or Panthera tigris sondaica.
The Sumatarn Tiger is the last remaining super tiger in Indonesia’s Sundra archipelago, which was once home to the Bali and Java Tigers – the Bali Tiger went extinct in the 1950s, while the Java Tiger was last seen in the 1950s. 1980.
Sources for the data vary, but it is estimated that there are approximately 400 to 600 Sumatran tigers remaining in the wild.
DNA analysis shows that Sumatran Tigers became isolated from other tiger populations after rising sea levels occurred between 12,000 and 6,000 years ago. Therefore, Sumatran Tigers have evolved differently and have no problem living on their home island.
The Sumatran Tiger population is declining mainly due to human activities such as the expansion of palm oil plantations.
The Sumatran tiger is the smallest subspecies of tiger, and also has the darkest fur (dark orange) and the highest density of stripes compared to other tiger species.
5. Siberian tiger
Current expected number: 500 – 600.
Place of residence: Russian Far East; Northeast China; and possibly North Korea.
Current conservation status: Critical.
Scientific name: Panthera tigris altaica.
The Siberian tiger or Amur tiger is mainly found in the dense forests of the Russian Far East, but also lives in the Northeastern regions of China and possibly North Korea. In the past, the Siberian Tiger’s range was much larger and could be found throughout the Korean Peninsula, northern China and Mongolia and in addition the Russian Far East.
Unfortunately, overhunting has nearly decimated the wild Siberian Tiger population, and its numbers have fluctuated over the years. After Russia became the first country to grant full protection to the Siberian tiger subspecies, its population stabilized at more than 500 animals but remained at less than 600 animals.
In captivity, the Siberian tiger is the largest of the remaining tiger subspecies, growing up to 300 kg and 3.28 meters long. However, in the wild, Siberian tigers will be larger in size.
6. Bengal tiger
Current estimated number: 2,603 – 3,346 animals.
Habitat: Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan).
Current conservation status: Critical.
Scientific name: Panthera tigris tigris.
The most numerous tiger subspecies, Bengal tigers are present at zoos and wildlife parks around the world, and even live shows in Las Vegas.
Although there are more numbers than the above 5 rare tiger species combined, the Bengal Tiger is still an endangered animal ranked at the dangerous level. Like all other tiger species, the Bengal Tiger population is in decline, facing threats mainly from humans, especially illegal hunting.
The reason for the high numbers (compared to other tiger subspecies) of the Bengal Tiger is that many have been kept in captivity since 1880 and have been extensively cross-bred with other tiger subspecies.
Above are 6 tiger species listed on the red list that need to be preserved worldwide. Hopefully on the occasion of the New Year of the Tiger 2022, readers can choose their favorite tiger species.
