Save the Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) from EXTINCTION: Do not let the fourth Tiger (Panthera tigris) subspecies vanish!
- by: Marco De Vittorio
- recipient: Malaysian Government Officials
The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) is characterised by three unique micro satellite alleles and five subspecies-specific mtDNA haplotypes, this supports the hypothesis that the Isthmus of Kra has been an ecological barrier restricting gene flow between Tigers in Peninsular Malaysia and mainland Southeast Asia.
Previous biogeography studies have placed numerous species and subspecies boundaries of mammals, birds, and plants near the Isthmus of Kra, making it a significant biogeographical transition between Indochina and Sundaic regions.
The distinctiveness of Tigers from Peninsular Malaysia is comparable to differences among other recognised and separately managed subspecies. To be consistent, the Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) should also be managed as such unless inbreeding depression has become an issue due to declined genetic variability.
It has been designated the type specimen of Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) to Pti-163 from the Zoo Melaka, Peninsular Malaysia, and the taxonomic diagnosis will be described elsewhere.
The estimated nationwide population of Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) continues to decline from roughly 3,000 in the 1950s to 500 between 1990 and 2003 to an estimate of 250-340 in 2013. This indicates a greater than 25% decline in approximately the last generation. Small sample sizes are a challenge to reliably estimate the population size of rare species. Although these estimates are only approximations and not based on a nationwide Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) survey, compared to the largely guesswork of the earlier figures based on expert knowledge and limited information, the current estimate is inferred from a range of mean density estimates from seven population studies conducted across all three Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) landscapes identified in the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan (DWNP 2008) between 2004 and 2013 and the estimated areas occupied by Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) based on the year 2000 figure and the annual rate of loss since 1980. Differences in methodologies and accuracy make the direct comparison difficult, but the best available evidence suggests population decline. The estimated 250-340 adult Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) translate to the effective population size of 80-120 breeding adults.
Repeated studies of Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) populations over one generation exist only in the two areas: Gunung Basor Forest Reserve in 2004-05 and 2012; and Taman Negara Pahang in 1999 and 2011. In these areas, the density of Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) estimates declined by at least 50 and 90%, respectively.
The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered (CR) under criterion C1 because the best available evidence indicates that the number of mature individuals is likely less than 250 animals and has declined >25% in one generation (seven years). The estimated nationwide population continues to decline from roughly 3,000 in the 1950s to 500 between 1990 and 200 to an estimate of 250-340 in 2013. This indicates a greater than 25% decline in approximately the last generation. Small sample sizes are a challenge to reliably estimate the population size of rare species. Although these estimates are only approximations and not based on a nationwide Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) survey, compared to the largely guesswork of the earlier figures based on expert knowledge and limited information, the current estimate is inferred from a range of mean density estimates from seven population studies conducted across all three Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) landscapes identified in the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan between 2004 and 2013 and the estimated areas occupied by Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) based on the year 2000 figure and the annual rate of loss since 1980. Differences in methodologies and accuracy make the direct comparison difficult, but it is believed that the best available evidence suggests population decline. The estimated 250-340 adult Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) translate to the effective population size of 80-120 breeding adults.
Repeated studies of Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) populations over one generation exist only in the two areas: Gunung Basor Forest Reserve in 2004-05 and 2012 and Taman Negara Pahang in 1999 and 2011. In these areas, the density estimates declined by at least 50 and 90%, respectively.
The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) habitat has declined from the original extent of 98,818 km2 prior to the 1970s to 75,079 km2 in 1980 to 55,387 km2 in 2000 at the average annual loss of 1.51% between 1980 and 2000. With that rate, the projected Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) habitat in 2014 is 44,761 km2. Only 15% of the Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) habitat is in Protected Areas (PAs) and forests outside PAs continued to be cleared for monoculture plantations. In 2005, the Malaysian Cabinet tasked the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities to initiate an aggressive programme to develop forest plantations throughout the country. Under this programme, tree plantations are being established via the conversion of privately or state owned forests, including forest reserves. Natural forests within forest reserves converted to rubber plantations for example increased >1500% from 22 km2 in 2005 to 349 km2 in 2012. According to the official publication, including other species such as acacia and teak, the total loss of the natural forest inside forest reserves as of 2010 was 1,087 km2. This trend of habitat loss is expected to continue as the government has embarked on expanding commercial forest plantation programmes to 3,750 km2 over a 15 year period from 2006 to 2020 while providing soft loans and taxexemption incentives.
Across rapidly shrinking global Tiger (Panthera tigris) range, the growing affluent Chinese population is fuelling the demand for illegally sourced Tiger (Panthera tigris) parts. Analysis of government seizure records involving Tigers (Panthera tigris) across Asia found that parts equivalent to at least 1,425 Tigers have been seized from 2000-2013. This analysis revealed that in Malaysia, parts equivalent to at least 94 Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) were seized over 33 seizures in the same period. The threat to Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) from illegal commercial trade was further illustrated in Malaysia when in 2012, Tiger (Panthera tigris) parts representing at least 22 Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) were seized in the State of Kedah, making this the largest seizure of Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) ever in Malaysia. Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) even in the three priority areas identified in the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan are not safe from the poaching threat as indicated by >952 snares uncovered and 29 multi-national poachers arrested just between 2010 and 2011.
Prey base depletion was considered a leading threat to Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) across much of their range. Thus the population decline may not be reversible where Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) habitats or the principle prey species, such as Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Bearded Pig (Sus barbatus) and Banteng (Bos javanicus) were lost. Sambar populations have declined in both abundance and distribution even inside PAs where they were not adequately protected.
The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) is also listed as CR under criteria C2a(i). Assuming that each Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) landscape is fully occupied, there is no subpopulation >50 mature individuals at the estimated mean Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) density of 2 based on the recent population studies mentioned above.
Dear Malaysian Government Officials,
The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered (CR) under criterion C1 because the best available evidence indicates that the number of mature individuals is likely less than 250 animals and has declined >25% in one generation (seven years). The estimated nationwide population continues to decline from roughly 3,000 in the 1950s to 500 between 1990 and 200 to an estimate of 250-340 in 2013. This indicates a greater than 25% decline in approximately the last generation. Small sample sizes are a challenge to reliably estimate the population size of rare species. Although these estimates are only approximations and not based on a nationwide Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) survey, compared to the largely guesswork of the earlier figures based on expert knowledge and limited information, the current estimate is inferred from a range of mean density estimates from seven population studies conducted across all three Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) landscapes identified in the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan between 2004 and 2013 and the estimated areas occupied by Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) based on the year 2000 figure and the annual rate of loss since 1980. Differences in methodologies and accuracy make the direct comparison difficult, but it is believed that the best available evidence suggests population decline. The estimated 250-340 adult Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) translate to the effective population size of 80-120 breeding adults.
Repeated studies of Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) populations over one generation exist only in the two areas: Gunung Basor Forest Reserve in 2004-05 and 2012 and Taman Negara Pahang in 1999 and 2011. In these areas, the density estimates declined by at least 50 and 90%, respectively.
The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) habitat has declined from the original extent of 98,818 km2 prior to the 1970s to 75,079 km2 in 1980 to 55,387 km2 in 2000 at the average annual loss of 1.51% between 1980 and 2000. With that rate, the projected Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) habitat in 2014 is 44,761 km2. Only 15% of the Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) habitat is in Protected Areas (PAs) and forests outside PAs continued to be cleared for monoculture plantations. In 2005, the Malaysian Cabinet tasked the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities to initiate an aggressive programme to develop forest plantations throughout the country. Under this programme, tree plantations are being established via the conversion of privately or state owned forests, including forest reserves. Natural forests within forest reserves converted to rubber plantations for example increased >1500% from 22 km2 in 2005 to 349 km2 in 2012. According to the official publication, including other species such as acacia and teak, the total loss of the natural forest inside forest reserves as of 2010 was 1,087 km2. This trend of habitat loss is expected to continue as the government has embarked on expanding commercial forest plantation programmes to 3,750 km2 over a 15 year period from 2006 to 2020 while providing soft loans and taxexemption incentives.
Across rapidly shrinking global Tiger (Panthera tigris) range, the growing affluent Chinese population is fuelling the demand for illegally sourced Tiger (Panthera tigris) parts. Analysis of government seizure records involving Tigers (Panthera tigris) across Asia found that parts equivalent to at least 1,425 Tigers have been seized from 2000-2013. This analysis revealed that in Malaysia, parts equivalent to at least 94 Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) were seized over 33 seizures in the same period. The threat to Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) from illegal commercial trade was further illustrated in Malaysia when in 2012, Tiger (Panthera tigris) parts representing at least 22 Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) were seized in the State of Kedah, making this the largest seizure of Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) ever in Malaysia. Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) even in the three priority areas identified in the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan are not safe from the poaching threat as indicated by >952 snares uncovered and 29 multi-national poachers arrested just between 2010 and 2011.
Prey base depletion was considered a leading threat to Malayan Tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) across much of their range. Thus the population decline may not be reversible where Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) habitats or the principle prey species, such as Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Bearded Pig (Sus barbatus) and Banteng (Bos javanicus) were lost. Sambar populations have declined in both abundance and distribution even inside PAs where they were not adequately protected.
The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) is also listed as CR under criteria C2a(i). Assuming that each Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) landscape is fully occupied, there is no subpopulation >50 mature individuals at the estimated mean Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) density of 2 based on the recent population studies mentioned above.
At last, after exposing you how critical the current status of the Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) is, I expect you to take into consideration my email and above all, I sincerely hope you as well as the scientific associations of the sector will act in a conscientiously way so that no negative repercussion can jeopardise the already precarious status of the less numerous Tiger subspecies (Panthera tigris jacksoni).
Best regards,
Marco De Vittorio
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