The Malayan Tiger, an Endangered Species
Recognized as a Sub-Species in 2004, These Tigers Need Conservation
Sep 26, 2009
A tiger is a tiger is a tiger, right? Not according to the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, a division of the United States National Cancer Institute. In 2004, after substantial genetic research, the Laboratory concluded that a ninth tiger sub-species, complete with its own defining characteristics, existed.
That sub-species is the Malayan tiger. Behind Bengal and Indo-Chinese tigers and above Siberian and South China tigers in numbers, the Malayan tiger population is the third largest of the tiger sub-species. It is neither the safest nor the most decimated. However, with even Bengal tigers numbering less than 2,000, this statistic is hardly a great achievement. And with constant threats to their survival, Malayan tigers may not hold their ranking for long.
What is a Malayan Tiger?
The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni, or Panthera tigris malayensis in Malaysia) most closely resembles the Indo-Chinese tiger in appearance but the Sumatran tiger in size. Malayan and Sumatran tigers are the smallest tiger sub-species. As such, male and female Malayan tigers are closer in size and weight than opposite genders amongst other sub-species. Males average less than 300 lbs. and eight feet long, while females average 200 lbs. and seven feet long. Like all tigers, Malayan tigers have retractable claws, padded feet, strong jaws, and large canines. Their tails are nearly three feet long.
The Malayan tiger is part of the Malaysian coat of arms. It is a national icon, "regarded as a symbol of strength, power, mystery and tenacity with a number of corporations encompassing the traits of the tiger in their corporate identity," says Malayantiger.org. Its coat is dark orange, with narrow, solid-black stripes and a white underbelly.
Malayan tigers live solitary lives, save for cub-rearing mothers and their cubs. Though its size is much bigger than a house cat, the Malayan tiger's lifespan is not, averaging 15 years in the wild.
Where Do Malayan Tigers Live?
According to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), the Malayan tiger "is found only in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, that is, in the southern tip of Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia." The tigers roam tropical and sub-tropical climates, "sparsely distributed in isolated small forests, secondary vegetation, and abandoned agricultural land in areas of low human and road density." Their main Malaysian habitats are Main Range, Greater Taman Negara, and the Southern Forest Complex.
What Do Malayan Tigers Eat?
Malayan tigers, like other tigers, are carnivores. Food sources for the Malayan tiger include deer (barking, sambar, etc.), wild boar, bear, gaur, tapir, and, more controversially, livestock.
Why are Malayan Tigers Endangered?
As their forests shrink, Malayan tigers lose territory and prey. Their numbers are currently estimated between 600 and 800 tigers. Per the WWF, these tigers' "low density (1.1-1.98 tigers per 100km2) is due to low prey numbers." They live scattered and fragmented, struggling to maintain large territories with sustainable food sources. Human development and logging are responsible for habitat reduction. Forest taken for agricultural purposes places farmers and tigers in direct contact; tigers that prey on livestock are often killed.
Likewise, poaching is a serious problem. All tiger sub-species have been hunted by humans since ancient times. Per the WWF, "tigers are poisoned, shot, trapped and snared, and the majority of these animals are sought to meet the demands of a continuing illegal wildlife trade - which includes traditional Chinese medicine."
What can be Done to Protect Malayan Tigers?
Malayan tigers are the recipients of several endangered species protections. Current legislation will not save these tigers from extinction but will slow their decline. According to Malayantiger.org, Malaysia's remaining forests will not likely sustain larger tiger populations, but "existing legislation should protect and maintain the current population of tigers provided authorities control illegal logging and poaching more effectively."
The WWF believes that preserving particular tiger habitats and creating tiger reserves are the best methods to preserving the species. The organization "aims to establish and manage effective tiger conservation areas, reduce the poaching of tigers and their prey, eliminate the trade in tiger parts and products, create incentives that will encourage local communities and others to support tiger conservation, and build capacity for tiger conservation."
Malaysia has created its own captive tiger breeding ground, Zoo Melaka. Located in Ayer Keroh, Malacca, this giant zoological park has successfully bred more than 40 Malayan tiger cubs since the identification of the sub-species. Although its future in the wild remains uncertain, the Malayan tiger will likely survive in captivity.
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