Sumatran Tigers are the smallest sub-species, and they are critically endangered with around 350 tigers left in the wild. The Sumatran Tiger, as its name suggests, is found only on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.

Sumatran Tigers are distinctive for being the only subspecies to live in isolation on a large island they have been isolated from their cousins on mainland Asia for over 10,000 years; this happened after a rise in sea level.

At the turn of the 20th century, there were three subspecies of tiger in Indonesia – the Bali tiger (on Bali) the Javan tiger (Java) and the Sumatran. Today both the Bali and Javan tigers are EXTINCT and only the Sumatran tiger survives.

Sumatra prior to 1900 was largely covered in primary forest and the tiger was more or less found throughout the entire island. Today just 100 years later its distribution has become fragmented and substantially reduced. Although found in all the islands eight provinces in highly populated areas such as the provinces of North Sumatra and Lampung, the animal has been squeezed out. It is sad to not that only about 350 wild Sumatran tigers are believed to exist, primarily in the island’s five national parks.

Greatest Threats

Today the greatest threat to the Sumatran Tiger is Man. In Sumatra, tiger habitat is shrinking fast with timber resources being exploited on a large scale. The tiger in Sumatra faces precarious prospects if its present distribution continue to be substantially reduced and populations become small, fragmented and isolated from one another. Loss of their natural habitat often leads tigers to move into settled areas in search of food, where they then encounter problems.

Tiger poaching and the illegal trading of tiger parts and products is one of the most immediate threats to the Sumatran tiger. Chinese medicine has spread throughout Asia. Nearly every part of the tiger is reported to have healing properties from the eyeball-a treatment for epilepsy to the whiskers – a cure for tooth ache.

Symbolic History of the Tiger

Tigers (and all other carnivores) are descended from civet-like animals called miacids that lived alongside the DINOSAURS about 60 million years ago. Fossil remains have been found which put the tiger in Indonesia 2 million years ago

Images of tigers have been discovered as far back as 1700 B.C. (4,000 years ago) and throughout history the tiger has been a symbol of both power and strength. Used as executioners in Asian courts; for entertainment in European gladiatorial combats; and as a status symbol for monarchs.

Tigers have long been thought to hold some mystical, supernatural power. The shang people of China believed tigers (lau hu) were messengers between the human and spirit world, images of tigers were placed upon tombs to warn off evil spirits. In the Hindu religion Shiva the destroyer rides a tiger (Bagh) and wears a tiger skin, followers of Buddah ride tigers to show their supernatural ability to overcome evil. Forest dwellers of India built shrines and temples to worship them, Islam followers in Sumatra believe tigers (rimau) punish sinners on behalf of Allah.

Captive Tigers in Zoos

Approximately 361 captive Sumatran Tigers live in zoos around the world. In addition to the 119 Sumatran tigers living in Indonesian zoos, there are 73 tigers managed by North American zoos, 98 in European zoos, and 2 8in Australasian zoos. (Source International Tiger Studbook – courtesy of Zoological Society of London)

More Information about Donations

If you feel inclined to help the survival of these wondrous and beautiful wild creatures, you may visit the Sumatran Tiger Trust, and become a proud foster parent of a wild Sumatran Tiger.

100% of money raised finances tiger monitoring, habitat preservation, community development, anti poaching patrols, park ranger training and the purchase of essential field equipment. (Activities managed under the Sumatran Tiger Conservation Programme, a collaborative conservation partnership with the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA) of the Indonesian Department of Forestry.)
It is this field equipment – notably remote cameras that have provided us with these magnificent rare shots of these otherwise elusive wild, free animals going about their daily lives within Sumatra’s National Parks.

Your generosity will entitle you to a certificate of adoption, complete with a photograph of your chosen tiger. Also, we promise to keep you informed of your tigers progress and update you on sightings and in recognition of your support will add your name to the roll of honor to be displayed in the park and on the website.

My greatest love in the natural world is that of horses. I have a special affinity with these beautiful animals, and have had some very great experiences with the equines in my life. It has been brought to my attention that America’s wild mustangs are in serious danger, and there is no time to lose in helping them to survive. This is not a natural danger, but a man made one. Disappointment Valley exposes mismanagement and corruption within the Bureau of Land Management. Please watch the following video, which includes heartfelt concerns, and a call for action from Viggo Mortensen and Sheryl Crow…

For more vital information on how you can help, please visit –> The American Wild Horse today. There is no time for delay, as this is happening now, and horses are dying.

Without our help, these beautiful, wild, and noble creatures will no longer exist. They have been our friends and helpers since ancient times… is this really how we will repay these great hearts that have helped us so much? I am not willing to accept this. We need to take action, sign the petitions, and make some phone calls.. let our voices be heard in this outrage!

Some numbers to call – 1) Call President Obama (202-456-1111) and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar (202-208-3100)

More than 1,000 wolves have been hunted down and murdered in the States just this year alone. At this rate Wolves will soon become extinct, and will only be found in legends and tales of history. Is this really the fate we wish to deal these beautiful four leggeds? Not only are they a vital part of the natural ecosystem, yet they are living creatures placed upon this planet so very long ago, to coexist with all the other creatures that make up life on this planet Earth.

I personally cannot even imagine a world in which Wolves no longer exist. This is a sad fate for a creature which has survived throughout time, living by their wits and courage. As humans, we can learn much just by watching the Wolf as she interacts with her cubs and pack mates. Their cunning and loyalty to the pack, endears them to a wild and free heart such as mine.

Seriously, there is plenty of room for these wild ones. They would not encroach upon human settlements, if we were not such poor stewards as to kill off their natural prey through mismanagement on the part of humans. We do not utilize the gifts on this planet in the manner in which it was given. The world is pretty messed up, and it makes me wonder how we can be in such a sorry state! The view of this entire planet, all the waste wanton destruction, and pollution, is simply apalling!!

Let’s keep our eyes open, educate ourselves, and make it our business to be aware of our surroundings. We cannot bring back the thousands of creatures which have become extinct in the past 50 years alone, but we can take responsiblilty and save those in danger here and now!

Check around and see what you can do in your own area, and please consider supporting Defenders of Wildlife in their quest to protect these wild beauties. Superior strength does not qualify us to play gods with the natural world.

In a perfect world, humans would know better than to blatantly abuse the gifts this Earth once boasted in great abundance. We would not hunt animals unless they present a danger to our lives or our little ones. Wolves could coexist alongside us, surviving in their remote regions, in which they were placed upon this planet to roam. Life on this planet, in the natural realms, would continue to evolve in a manner consistant with the nature of things. This is what creates the natural balance in our lives as well. This is how Life on this planet was meant to be.

It is clear to me that there is no reason good enough to condone such brutal behaviour as the senseless slaughter of Wolves, young and old. It is such a waste of time, energy, and the intelligence we are granted with. This is not even a battle we should be fighting. The World has much greater issues, and our focus should be on the positive, as well as creating a viable world in which to live in. A world in which Wolves are an integral part of.

I am here to share the latest news from Defenders of Wildlife. The battle to save our four legged friends is still going strong, and we cannot let the killing continue! Please find it in your heart and spirit to pass the word along, and do what you feel you can to save these beautiful, graceful beings we name Wolves.

Teri,

Wolf packs in Alaska again face savage slaughter from death squads using helicopters and airplanes to kill these helpless animals.

Please help Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund win the Congressional votes we need to end this unnecessary and cruel practice once and for all.

More than 1,000 wolves have been shot dead by aerial shooters who chase the poor animals to exhaustion in the deep snow. The animals are shot from the air and left wounded to die a slow and agonizing death or pursued and shot at point-blank range after the plane has landed.

We’ve had success telling this horrible story to more and more representatives and senators and securing their votes for the Protect America’s Wildlife (PAW) Act — H.R. 3381 and S. 1535 — federal legislation to end Alaska’s awful, unscientific and unnecessary aerial wolf killing and prevent this brutal practice from spreading to other states.

Our vote count stands at 121 representatives and 4 senators. But with another deadly aerial wolf killing season on the horizon, we must redouble our efforts to get the votes to stop it.

Donate today to help save the lives of wolves from Alaska’s aerial wolf-killing programs.

Your donation today will help us convince Congress to pass the PAW Act and educate more Americans about the awful practice championed by former Governor Sarah Palin. 

Palin’s handpicked Board of Game has escalated the aerial killing of wolves, and we need your help to mobilize more citizens (we’ve already generated tens of thousands of messages to senators) to win passage of the PAW Act and stop brutal and unnecessary aerial wolf killing.

To make sure these voices are heard, our staff will be collecting messages from constituents and delivering them in personal meetings with representatives and senators. We will dedicate literally hundreds of work hours in the coming weeks to this important effort.

Will you help support our work to save these magnificent wolves?

Our wolves don’t have a voice, but Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund does. With your help, we can ensure that the story of these magnificent animals is heard on Capitol Hill. Please make your contribution to save wolves today. 

For the wild ones,

 

Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund

P.S. Aerial gunners will soon be taking to the sky in helicopters and airplanes to slaughter defenseless wolves. With your help, we can end this cruel and unnecessary killing by passing the PAW Act. Please make a secure donation online now. 

 

Of all the horrors on this planet, I find the use of animals for the pleasure of humans (those with a very sick nature), to be one of the most despicable. It is rather disgusting to think people actually pay money to view a creature being used in ways that totally disrespect their nature, and dishonors our guardianship over those less capable of protecting themselves.

The atrocities commited on a daily basis really makes me wonder which is the better role, being a human, or being an animal. At least animals, when left alone in their true habitat, are true to their own basic nature and have no wish to control the world around them. Some humans behave in such a way as to show they are more inhuman than they would like to think. Pehaps if this treatment by humans, of animals against their will, were reversed… well then one might take a step back and see just how sick some people really are.

I would like to point the way to a rather disturbing example of why I find a world where humans mistakenly believe they have the power over animals to do things that go against their basic nature so abhorrent. 10 Animals Being Used for Human Entertainment is just a very small example of how widespread this travesty truly is.

I find no amusement in the disrespectful treatment of those beings the Creator has placed upon this planet as part of the Great Balance. Who are we to take advantage of the wild ones who live alongside us? There is only shame in such treatment. We can stop this simply by not participating, and letting our voices be heard in protest of these bizarre practices. Most people don’t even think about it, but it is the darker part of human nature which turns a blind eye to the dishonor we show when we condone such behaviour.

When I first began to blog about the Earth and the natural world, I knew it would not be easy. Sometimes I become overwhelmed with all of the avoidable tragedies occuring on a global scale. Some days I feel it is a downhill battle, and I become discouraged. Yet most days I am optimistic, and strive for a better place for all of us (man and animal alike) to live in a harmonious balance. I have been in the middle of an unpleasant battle on my own homefront. My family is in turmoil, and I am falling short of my environmental and nature goals. This does not mean I have given up. It just means my skills as a parent and concientious human being have been shifted to a different front as of late.

Today I would like to share a message which touches upon a subject dear to my heart. I have followed the journey of Koko the Gorilla for a very long time. I love all animals, yet Koko has endeared herself quite soundly! Let’s take a few moments to delve into the most current chapter of Koko’s story, and see what we can do to help out…

I wanted to share some exciting news with you ? the United Nations has declared 2009 The Year of the Gorilla. I urge you to observe this with us by renewing your commitment to the Gorilla Foundation today.

During this special year, we all need to intensify our efforts to raise awareness and encourage action.? Gorillas need more than a stimulus package; they need a safety net. Your gift today will allow us to:

Please donate today

Thank you so very much, and please accept my deepest gratitude for your generous donations during this very special year.

Penny and Koko

Penny Patterson, President and Director of Research
Koko, “Fine animal gorilla person”

PS: When you donate, you’ll receive an official Gorilla Foundation membership card (above right) and unique gorilla bookmarks (right) in addition to all of our other membership benefits. If you’ve already renewed your support (or are an APE member) thank you so much!

Our fight to save the wild places, and those that inhabit the lands all around us, is still in full swing. We have much to do to turn around the devestation caused through neglect and natural disasters. Our future depends upon how well we Steward this planet, whether people are aware of this or not. Education is as important as bringing about awareness of our surroundings and the plights of the Animal Kingdom. Here is some news that I feel is vital to pass along…

As soon as tomorrow, President-elect Obama will give what is being billed as a major address on creating jobs and stimulating America’s economy.

Here’s a forward-looking, wildlife-friendly way that he and Congress can create tens of thousands of green jobs: Saving wolves, river otters and other imperiled wildlife and safeguarding our public lands.

Urge President-elect Obama and your U.S. Representative and Senators to support smart investment in wildlife conservation to create green jobs to protect endangered wildlife, habitat and public lands.

Investing in America’s conservation infrastructure could help…

• Keep local construction, electrical, landscape and other companies working throughout 2009;
• Provide the next generation of workers with the skills they need to lead a green revolution in our economy; and
• Support vital efforts to safeguard river otters, other imperiled wildlife, habitat and our national wildlife refuges, forests, monuments and other public lands.

In fact, America could put nearly 60,000 people to work within 90 to 180 days… all while protecting the wildlife, habitat and public lands that help make our country so special.

These projects are especially important in places like Louisiana’s Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, which was devastated by Hurricane Rita and is currently closed to the public.

The Refuge once hosted more than 280,000 visitors each year and is home to wildlife like river otters, American alligators, pelicans and egrets. But now Sabine is in dire need of repair. Clean-up and restoration efforts could create good local jobs that help Sabine’s wildlife.

And that’s just one example. Across the country, many national wildlife refuges and other public lands have been effectively shuttered as essential projects have been left unfunded and vital wildlife conservation staff positions left vacant.

Transportation projects can also provide great benefits to wildlife and local economies. Done properly, they can create jobs and reconnect wildlife habitat across highways to allow safe passage and help animals migrate in response to climate change and other pressures. 

For instance, building wildlife crossings like those proposed in Washington State’s Snoqualmie Pass would help animals like wolves, grizzly bears, cougar, elk and bobcats move safely through their habitat without endangering their lives — and those of motorists — by crossing the highway.

Take action to put Americans to work restoring essential wildlife habitat and our national wildlife refuges, forests, monuments and other public lands.

Projects to restore wetlands, reconnect habitat across highways, combat harmful invasive species, repair damaged watersheds, rehabilitate native forests and prairies, make facilities and buildings more energy efficient, and install alternative energy systems would have tangible benefits for imperiled wildlife and local communities. Many of these projects also would help wildlife adapt to climate change and reduce global warming pollution by making America more energy efficient.

Together, we can protect the natural legacy we’ll leave our children and grandchildren and put Americans to work. Please take action now to help put America on the right path forward.

For the Wild Ones,

Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife

I really love it when I have good news to share. The recent find of a large population of lowland gorillas in the Republic of the Congo, alive and totally thriving, is to my eyes a great find indeed! The Wildlife Conservation Society released a recent census which has astounding numbers. According to the new census, they have tallied more than 125,000 of these elusive gorillas in two adjacent areas in the northern part of the country, covering an area of 18,000 square miles (47,000 square kilometers). It is said that previous estimates from the 1980s placed the entire population of western lowland gorillas, which occur in seven Central African nations, at less than 100,000. However, according to popular belief, scientists had believed that this number had at least halved, due to hunting and disease.

WCS says a combination of factors led to such high numbers of gorillas including: successful long-term conservation management of the Republic of Congo’s protected areas; remoteness and inaccessibility of some of the key locations where the gorillas were found; and a food-rich habitat, particularly in some of the swamp forests and the herb-rich “Marantaceae” forests.

While this is excellent news indeed, now we need to work fast to make sure protections are put in place for these precious creatures. There is always the danger of potential deforestation as well as illegal poaching, now that this discovery has been made public. Across Central Africa, gorillas face the looming threats of hunting for bushmeat and the spread of the Ebola virus, which is lethal to gorillas as well as humans. WCS is working with partners to combat Ebola, eliminate commercial hunting, and secure this last stronghold for Africa’s apes. WCS cautioned that many of the gorillas live outside of existing protected areas, though the Government of Congo has committed to creating a new national park in the Ntokou-Pikounda region.

Let’s just hope folks sit up and listen, and realize how important it is for us to protect our wildlife and wild places, for the resources they provide in the long term are so very precious. Nature provides so many treasures and as stewards of this planet we must preserve the green world and the wild creatures who help create the balance.

For more detailed information you may wish to visit Wildlife Conservation Society

Here is a great place to get some amazing Gorilla Facts!

I think it would be a fantastic idea to look to Nature for great ways to honor the special Father’s in your life. As Father’s, they should truly understand the concept of good stewardship, and know how important it is to preserve Nature and the creatures that are integral in keeping the Balance. Surely they would appreciate a gift with this in mind. Therefor, I would like to pass along the following message I recieved from Defenders…

Did you know that wolves are devoted fathers? They often demonstrate deep affection for their family and may even sacrifice themselves to protect their mate and pups.

Sound familiar? Here’s a great way to celebrate the dad in your pack — or any wildlife enthusiast — with a meaningful gift that will help save some of America’s most beloved animals, the gray wolf…

Adopt a wolf for your favorite dads (or anyone else you know who loves wildlife!), and your tax-deductible contribution will help…

• Protect wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies;
• End aerial gunning of wolves in Alaska; and 
• Protect some of the world’s most endangered wolves in North Carolina and the American Southwest

Plus, we’ll send a personalized Certificate of Adoption, wolf plush toy, stunning wolf photo and a fact-sheet that is chock-full of great information about these amazing animals.

Adopt a wolf today or another imperiled animal, and make sure your Dad is appreciated and knows that you’ve learned the importance of the world we leave to our children.

Your Wildlife Adoption contribution is especially vital now, as Defenders works to protect wolves in the Northern Rockies, Alaska and elsewhere.

The Bush/Cheney Administration has removed wolves in the Northern Rockies from the list of species protected under the Endangered Species Act, spurring the killing of at least 69 wolves in just the last couple of months.

We’re in court fighting lawyers from the Administration, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, and groups like Safari Club International to stop the killing. But we’re also working on the ground to protect wolves. Each year, Defenders pays for “range riders”, livestock guarding dogs, education and training, fladry barriers, fencing and other proactive strategies to keep wolves in the Northern Rockies away from livestock — and both out of harm’s way.      

Your Father’s Day Wildlife Adoption will also help us save wolves in Alaska, where the state’s Board of Game permits gunners to shoot wolves from low-flying aircraft or chase them to exhaustion and shoot them at point-blank range. It’s a terrible practice and one that we’ll end if we’re successful in our campaign to pass federal legislation to outlaw this brutal practice.

And that’s just the start. When you adopt a wolf, you’ll also be helping to promote recovery of the struggling wolf population in the Southwest, help North Carolina’s red wolves — the world’s only wild population – and save other imperiled wildlife.

Let’s see a necktie do that!

This Father’s Day, give a meaningful gift — Adopt a wolf or another imperiled animal and help support effective advocacy for the wildlife we all love.

For the Wild Ones,

Karin Kirchoff
Vice President, Membership
Defenders of Wildlife

P.S. Make a wildlife adoption before 7 AM Monday (June 9th) to ensure delivery by June 14th. Adopt online or by calling (800) 385-9712.

P.P.S. On a budget? Enter discount code DAD when you make your wildlife adoption and get 10% off!