A video of a Sumatran tiger with her two cubs renews hope for this endangered subspecies of tiger. According to WWF’s news release, as few as 400 remain in Sumatra, and perhaps only 3,200 tigers of all kinds remain in the wild throughout Asia.
As a conservation biologist, three things strike me in this story. First, after five years of surveying, this video is long-awaited confirmation of a tiger with offspring! Second, the animals were seen in a forested corridor, connecting two protected areas – in theory, such a link is key to long-term survival and the genetic diversity of the tiger population. Third, the story is a great example of how newer, less expensive, more rugged and more compact technology (in this case, cameras) can greatly help with conservation, sending compelling news worldwide.
The forest corridor is at risk from unsustainable logging, so hope for Sumatran tigers comes tinged with the grim reality that threats continue. We might think this is an Indonesian or Asian problem, but it is a global one. From wherever you buy paper, look for the FSC logo as a greener choice. FSC-certified products avoid high conservation value forest, like the Sumatran tiger corridor. Tigers — and all of nature — are resilient up to a point, if we give them a chance. Let’s renew hope this New Year, by doing our part to save them.
Steven Price
Senior Director, Conservation Science and Practice
Tags: Biodiversity, Conservation, FSC, Tigers
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what a fantastic put up, wow.
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Beautiful creatures, and I’ll be more than willing to donate to help them, now that I’m not giving WWF my money to put gas in Al Gore’s plane.
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Having adopted a tiger through WWF, seeing this video makes me fill with hope that something can be done in continuing to see these magnificant animals in the wild. Thank you WWF in sharing this wonderful video!
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I don’t understand the point of all of this. What is WWF doing to help? I am seeing less and less proof that wildlife is being saved out there.
Take me off your email list.
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Beautiful video! I love cats, and these big ones are especially beautiful.
I agree with all the many other comments. I have the highest regard and respect for animals. I think that the human race is the only on this planet that knowingly attempts to harm itself and other species. We are really not as intelligent as we think we are.
I hope that organizations like WWF keep up their great work to help make this world a better place for all life.
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Beautiful! If only people were happy to view tigers in their natural habitat through cameras like this instead of keeping them as pets! (or in farms for body parts for Chinese medicine). It’s strange to think that the number of privately “owned” tigers outnumbers the wild population.
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As I watched the video, I imagined the researchers going, “Oh, wow! There’s an adult Sumatran! OMG! She has a cub! OMG!!! There’s another cub!!!” And then hugs all around. lol
We need to protect and care for these cats that are bigger than we are and could tear us in ribbons. We need to help them grab a piece of the planet that is exclusively “theirs” BECAUSE HUMANS DON’T OWN THE EARTH! We share it with millions of other life forms. We have to protect them… because we are all they have.
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As a monthly supporter of WWF, I thank-you for the video. Reading the responses made me cry – so many people care deeply about these 3 in a far-away forest.
Surely there is something more specific we can do to protect their wildlife corridor than buy FSC paper? Mr. Price do you have any more tangible ideas for us to work on?
Thank-you, Erica
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I’m cat crazy! I adopted a tiger from wwf and now to hear about this is so aewsom! I hate poachers. They are the ones killing off most of the animals in the world. So go to wwf.ca (even though you are already on it) and adopt a tiger!
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Animals are absolutely the BEST. Other than the handful of companies like WWF and their supporters, the human race is DESTROYING THIS WORLD!!!!
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Canada has over 30,000,000 hectares of FSC forest
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Let’s all do what we can to help preserve these wonderful animals! They need all the help they can get! Poachers and habitat loss….BEGONE!!
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It’s so sad to hear about all the poachers who are killing off what little tiger population is out there that it makes me really happy to find out about good news like this!
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What an uplifting video !!Such a beautiful animal.There must be a way to stop man from destroying these,and indeed all,of the wonderful creatures who have more of a right to their land than we do.
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Thank you for sharing this piece of shooting of a noble beast.
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Thank you for sharing this amazing video of this magnificent being! It is not just them we Must think about, it is all of us. Every being plays a role. We must educate our children, we must send loving, compassionate thoughts toward the whole world as we are All One. Greed and ridiculous believes must be transformed into loving-kindness. We Must do our best to create a positive change! We must also remember that many Chinese people are good people and judgment of any kind will not improve this world. Only Loving Thoughts, Words and Actions Will. May there be Peace and Happiness to All Beings! So be it. Thank you WWF Canada for your great work! With Blessings.
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Yes, unsustainable logging is bad.
FSC was thought of a way to inform us, the public, so as to not support it through our purchases.
Who “does” FSC? Europe, mostly.
US is next, with Canada not so far away.
Asia pacific and Africa? About 0,1% of logging.
It’s not working, think of something else.
Many small logging operators can’t afford FSC even though their practices are sound.
They cannot afford to burn 5 of their 30 hectares to get a seal of aproval.
FSC. Good intentions…anything else?
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Amazing. We are so used to seeing these beautiful and mysterious creatures in our zoos and “shows”, that we often forget how rare they really are.
Thank you.
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I love all animals and when i see what humans can do to them for there own needs, it makes me sick. I hope that my montly donation and my good habits will help those little creatures. I try to do my best, i couldn’t say that for certain peoples.
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Amazing creatures. To bad China’s incessant demand for body parts will lead to their extinction in the wild.
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Breath taking, magnificent creatures that must be saved through awareness and education. Please forward to all to see.
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Wow, what a great experience to see these guys live. The mother sure was curious about the camers. Sounded like she was muching on something.
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I wish the best luck for this beautiful big cat. World will be sad place when the people see them only in storybooks and museums.
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Im really glad to see this footage theres more negative than positive things were hearing about the tigers. I do love these beautiful animals this is a great step in helping them live in their natural habitat.
Anna G
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They are indeed fabulously beautiful, as are all creatures. It is appalling to think that these wonderful cats are hunted for trophies, stupid erectile dysfunction medicines (drink less, smoke less, and maybe your poor little penis will perform).
The idea of buying these corridors is extremely interesting. Can it be done? Is it politically possible? Nature Conservancy Canada buys places like this all the time. How much money would it take? Let’s find out!!!
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Great video. As said it does give a feeling of hope It is so hard to imagine a world possibly without them.
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Thank you so much for sharing such a rare sighting of these gorgeous cats. I am proud to be a monthly donor of WWF…keep up the fantastic work for all our feathered and furry friends!
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incredible footage! lets protect this forest from deforestation for these awesome amazing animals!
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What a passionate, wonderful feeling it is to see the beauty of nature. What amazing and beautiful creatures they are. Thank you for your continued good use of our donations and for giving use just a small glimps of your successes.
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Is WWF or an associated agency capable of buying this corridor to ensure that unsustainable logging does not occur? Empower the conservation movement with the ability to have an immediate long term impact. This has been tried with rain forests in South America.
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That is so encouraging to see her with her babies. Nice they came right up to camera so we could all have a great look at the beauties !
Thanks for sharing !
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Thank you for sharing the video, I long for a world in which humans can allow other species to prosper.
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hilarious! so curious about that smell in the camera.
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I feel privileged to see these animals. I’ve been donating to WWF for a long time and am so happy to see a positive and beautiful bit of film instead of the usual troubled ones. It made my day, week really. Thank you.
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Beautiful! It saddens me to think of how few of these magnificent creatures there are left. Keep up the great work.
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What a privilege to get so close to these magnificent creatures. So close I felt like I could almost touch them, breath them in in all of their wildness and pure majesty. I feel full of joy and gratitude but also sad that these awesome creatures are threatened by the selfishness and greed of the human race.
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Amazing footage! So heartening to know that the forrested corridor is helping. Will definitely look for the FSC logo.
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It sadens me to know that these beautiful creatures are being extinct due to people’s selfish needs; money,medicine, land, trophies…. How can so many turn a blind eye to what is happening? I give 2 thumbs up to WWF for their continued efforts in preserving these beautiful creatures and many more who are endangered. It makes me feel good to know that I am helping with my monthly contribution, but I would like to do more. Any ideas please pass them on.
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There is always hope!! Keep up the good work and let us all try our very best to help in making this endevour possible.
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Amazing. I hope my grandchildren will see Tigers in the wild.
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I certainly hope that my monthly donation will help with these fantastic creatures.
I actually jumped when the first one
growled at the camera – such fun!
Thank you WWF for the chance to see this.
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I would like to give an empowering message to my classmates on how to help prevent tiger’s extinction. I already signed 3 petitions, but is there another way to help? I also plan on doing a letter to the Indian Prime Minister, the Chinese President And the Canadian Prime Minister. Is that a good start?
Reading your article and watching your video gave me hope.
Sincerly,
Alison A.,age 10,Ottawa,Canada
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Yes there is hope, after seeing this video i had a smile on my face..
Let’s all of us do our very best to save them..
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