


• 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.

 


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