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Sumatran tiger survival threatened by deforestation despite increasing densities in parks

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew Scott Luskin

    (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
    Nanyang Technical University
    University of California)

  • Wido Rizki Albert

    (Fauna & Flora International - Indonesia Programme)

  • Mathias W. Tobler

    (San Diego Zoo Global, Institute for Conservation Research)

Abstract

The continuing development of improved capture–recapture (CR) modeling techniques used to study apex predators has also limited robust temporal and cross-site analyses due to different methods employed. We develop an approach to standardize older non-spatial CR and newer spatial CR density estimates and examine trends for critically endangered Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) using a meta-regression of 17 existing densities and new estimates from our own fieldwork. We find that tiger densities were 47% higher in primary versus degraded forests and, unexpectedly, increased 4.9% per yr from 1996 to 2014, likely indicating a recovery from earlier poaching. However, while tiger numbers may have temporarily risen, the total potential island-wide population declined by 16.6% from 2000 to 2012 due to forest loss and degradation and subpopulations are significantly more fragmented. Thus, despite increasing densities in smaller parks, we conclude that there are only two robust populations left with >30 breeding females, indicating Sumatran tigers still face a high risk of extinction unless deforestation can be controlled.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Scott Luskin & Wido Rizki Albert & Mathias W. Tobler, 2017. "Sumatran tiger survival threatened by deforestation despite increasing densities in parks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-01656-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01656-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Abishek Harihar & Pranav Chanchani & Jimmy Borah & Rachel Jane Crouthers & Yury Darman & Thomas N E Gray & Shariff Mohamad & Benjamin Miles Rawson & Mark Darmaraj Rayan & Jennifer Lucy Roberts & Rober, 2018. "Recovery planning towards doubling wild tiger Panthera tigris numbers: Detailing 18 recovery sites from across the range," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, November.

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