Sunda tiger population faces extinction with only 400 left

The Sunda tiger population, native only to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is critically endangered with an estimated 400 individuals remaining. This decline is driven by habitat loss from palm oil expansion, logging, and agricultural development, alongside relentless poaching for the illegal wildlife trade.

Deforestation fragments habitats, which reduces genetic diversity, decreases prey availability, and increases human-wildlife conflict. While some tiger subspecies like the Bali, Caspian, and Javan tigers are already extinct, conservation efforts for the remaining six subspecies focus on habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and community engagement. These efforts aim to protect ecosystems where tigers serve as apex predators, helping to maintain biodiversity and support ecotourism.