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Sumatran Tiger
The Sumatran Tiger is found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in habitat ranging from mountainous forests to lowland forests. The Sumatran Tiger is one of eight subspecies of tiger, and it is believed that these animals became isolated to Sumatra when rising sea levels smothered the land, causing the formation of islands in the region.
Sumatran Tigers are the smallest of all tigers, and their size assists them in navigating the dense, tropical forests in which they hunt. Being solitary animals, they are highly adapted to ambush hunting, using their stripes as camouflage against the dappled light of the forest floor. Sumatran Tigers will lie in wait to pray upon wild boar, birds, tapir, fish and deer.
Illegal hunting of tigers for use in traditional medicines, and loss of their rainforest habitat is continuing to threaten the remaining wild populations.
Melbourne Zoo is involved in a captive breeding program for these highly endangered animals. On Febuary 9 2010 four cubs were born to our resident tigers. After weeks of careful monitoring by our keepers, the tiger cubs are finally ready to head out into their exhibit.
Did you Know?
- Tigers are proficient swimmers and can cross rivers which are 7–8 kilometres wide without any difficulty
- Tigers will attack their prey from the rear; only one in 10–20 attempts succeed in a kill
- To seek out prey and defend a home range it is not uncommon for a Tiger to travel 10–20 kilometres a day
Our Tigers
| Ramalon | Male, born 26 October 1995 |
| Binjai | Female, born 30 August 2002 |
| Acheh | Male, born 9 Febuary 2010 |
| Hutan | Male, born 9 Febuary 2010 |
| Indrah | Female, born 9 Febuary 2010 |
| Rani | Female, born 9 Febuary 2010 |
- Class
Mammalia
- Order
Carnivora
- Family
Felidae
- Species Name
Panthera tigris
- Subspecies Name
Panthera tigris sumatrae
- Status
Critically Endangered
