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Indochinese Tiger
Panthera tigris corbetti
• An estimated 1,227–1,785 Indochinese tigers are
left in the wild, and about 60 live in zoos in Asia
and the U.S.A.
• The distribution of the Indochinese tiger is
centered in Thailand. Indochinese tigers are also
found in Myanmar, southern China, Cambodia, Laos,
Vietnam, and peninsular Malaysia.Within this range,
tigers live in remote forests in hilly to
mountainous terrain, much of which lies along the
borders between countries. Access to these areas is
often restricted, and biologists have only recently
been granted limited permits for field surveys. As a
result, relatively little is know about the status
of these tigers in the wild.
• Indochinese tigers are a bit smaller and darker
than Bengal tigers, with shorter, narrower stripes.
Males average 2.7 meters (9 feet) from head to tail
and weigh about180 kilograms (400 pounds). Females
are smaller, measuring about 2.4 meters (8 feet) in
length and weighing approximately 115 kilograms (250
pounds).
• The Indochinese tiger eats wild pig, wild deer and
wild cattle.
• The specific range size of this tiger is not know,
however the population density is thought to be
approximately 4 to 5 adult tigers/100 km2 (39 mile2)
in optimal habitat.
Zoo Tigers
In July 1995 the Zoological Parks Organization of
Thailand (ZPO) held a masterplan meeting to develop
a captive management program for Indochinese tigers
in Thai zoos. Participants from zoos and wildlife
agencies in Malaysia, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia,
Myanmar, and Singapore assisted at the meeting in
the analysis of the origin of captive tigers, the
role of Thai and other Asian zoos in supporting the
conservation of wild tigers, and the development of
a ZPO Indochinese Tiger Masterplan. Similar
masterplans may be developed in neighboring tiger
range countries. Zoos in Malaysia in particular have
a relatively large and successful captive management
program for Indochinese tigers. The CBSG Tiger GASP
estimates that in 1995 there are about 60
Indochinese tigers in captivity in Asian and North
American zoos. Only four wild-caught founders have
bred and contributed to the managed captive
population. Captive management programs for
Indochinese tigers in Asia are currently being
developed and expanded.
Wild Tiger Distribution in Thailand, Lao PDR,
Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia
Indochinese Tiger Masterplan for Thailand
More information about Indochinese tigers
The sources for estimations of wild populations can
be found in Cat News No. 28, Spring 1998 |
