The Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti ) is a carnivorous mammal in the cat family.
It is one of eight listed tiger subspecies. It takes its Latin name from the name of a renowned hunter, Jim Corbett, who became a famous figure with the villagers when he protected them against tiger attacks.
Realizing that these felines would disappear completely, he later became one of the most genuine protectors of the species.
The elusive Indochinese tiger is one of the lesser-known tiger subspecies.
Feeding on prey like deer, boars, and cattle, they also take larger animals, including elephants and pangolins.
This rare tiger faces severe threats across its range, spanning Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
In this article, we’ll talk about what this species looks like, how it eats, and whether or not it’s in danger of extinction.
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Characteristics Of Indochinese Tigers
Since 1968, the Indochina tiger has been included in the list of tiger subspecies. The Bengal tiger is smaller, darker, and has fewer stripes than this species.
They are distinguished by their characteristic orange fur, which is interrupted by black stripes, as are most tigers.
However, the stripes on an Indochinese tiger are narrower than those on other species, and their overall color is slightly darker.
Dimensions
A fully mature male Indochinese tiger can reach lengths of 8.4 to 9.4ft from head to tail.
Females of the species are slightly smaller, measuring between 7.5 and 8.4ft in length.
Male tigers can weigh up to 430 pounds, while females often weigh no more than 290 pounds.
Habitat
Most of the animals that are still alive are in national parks and zoos around the world. Between 1,000 and 2,000 of them, but only 600 still live in their original environment.
The Indochinese tiger lived in Burma, Malaysia, and most of Southeast Asia when it was first found.
In Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, only small villages are far from each other.
Population
Long before this subspecies was formally classified, it was estimated that there were over 3,000 Indochinese tigers in Malaysia alone in 1930.
This figure has substantially decreased with the invention of weapons and the opening of forests for agriculture and mining.
It is estimated that approximately 600 Indochinese tigers remain over their entire range.
Lifecycle
After 103 days, the mother gives birth to two to three cubs. At birth, cubs are blind and can’t do anything.
When the kids are 8 weeks old, their mother feeds them meat. Around 6 months, they start to eat real food.
Cubs stay with their mothers until they are 18–28 months old when they learn how to hunt. After that, they leave to set up their areas.
Indochinese tigers can have their first cubs when they are 3–4 years old. After that, they might have babies every 2–2.5 years.
In the wild, the average life span of an Indochinese tiger is about 15 years. Some can live up to 20 years.
These tigers only get together to mate or raise their cubs. Each adult is in charge of its area.
Depending on the food, an area can be anywhere from 12 to 84 square miles.
Male lions sometimes fight with each other over territory. The areas of males and females often overlap.
Communication
Growls, hisses, snarls, meows, roars, and chuffing sounds are used to show aggression, say hello, warn of danger, or show concern.
Tigers leave scent marks to mark their area and let other tigers know if they are ready to breed. Urine and poop carry the words through the air.
Clawing on trees is another way to leave a scent mark and make a visual border. Tigers make “scratch posts.”
When your teeth are bared, or your ears are flattened, you are showing anger or fear.
Crouching is a sign of respect for tigers who are stronger than you.
Males let possible mates know they are there by roaring.
Females use soft chuffing, and meowing sounds to call their cubs.
Cubs make a soft “churr” sound when they need their mother.
Because they live alone, they talk to each other less often, but this is important for breeding and raising cubs.
Predators And Threats
Predators:
- As an apex predator, the Indochinese tiger has no natural predators within its ecosystem.
- Occasionally, other large predators like bears may attempt to steal tiger kills, prompting aggressive defense.
- Healthy adult tigers are essentially invulnerable in the wild outside of humans.
Threats:
- The biggest worry is the loss and breakup of habitat, which makes tiger forest ranges smaller.
- Poaching to get skins, bones, and body parts for the illegal trade in skins, bones, and body parts kills off communities.
- Because of overhunting and lack of habitat, there aren’t as many animals for tigers to eat.
- People and tigers fight when tigers attack animals or people near the edge of a forest. Then comes punishment.
- Tigers can get diseases not native to their area from household animals.
- When populations are small and spread out, there is less genetic variety.
Is the Indochinese tiger still alive?
Yes, the Indochinese tiger still lives, but this subspecies is extremely endangered and faces many threats to survival. Here are some important facts about it:
- As of 2015, it was thought that only 235 wild Indochinese tigers were left in the world.
- You can find them in small groups in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and southern China.
- Because these surviving subpopulations are small and spread out, they are very likely to go extinct.
- Poaching, a lack of food, and the loss of land are the biggest threats to the Indochinese tiger. A lot of tree cutting has torn up their forest home.
- In many places where they used to live, Indochinese tigers are now almost dead. The number of these tigers has dropped the most of any of the nine types.
- Only Thailand and Myanmar have growing populations, but all Indochinese countries have seen huge drops.
- Save these last wild tigers as soon as possible by taking strong protection measures. Keeping animals in captivity also keeps genetic stocks.
How Many Indochinese Tigers Are Left In The World?
The number of Indochinese tigers has dropped by a lot, and today, there are only a few hundred left in the wild:
- In the 1950s, more than 1,000 Indochinese tigers were thought to be left in the wild.
- By the middle of the 1990s, it was thought that between 1,200 and 1,800 people were living there.
- In 2007, the population had dropped by a lot, and it was believed to be between 350 and 500.
- The latest estimate from 2015 says that only about 235 Indochinese tigers are left.
- They now live in forests in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and southern China.
- These small, isolated groups of people are very likely to go extinct.
- The last wild tigers in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia may have already died out.
- Only Thailand and Myanmar still have breeding populations, which are in danger from poaching and habitat loss.
- This means the tiger population has dropped by over 80% in just two generations.
How Can We Save The Indochinese Tiger?
Conservationists and people who care about tigers play important roles in keeping these rare big cats safe.
The Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand is a major stronghold. It works with UNESCO and depends on funding to keep doing important work.
Raising general awareness is more important than giving money. Getting people to learn about the biggest problems facing Indochinese tigers can help move things in the right direction.
From poaching to the loss of their environment, many things are putting these tigers on the path to extinction.
Choices made by consumers with care are also important. By not buying things like fur and palm oil, which contribute to poaching and the loss of tiger habitats, the market gives less reason to people to do things that hurt tigers.
One of the most threatened types of tiger on Earth can be helped by what people say and do.
People can help stop the decline of Indochinese tigers and ensure they will live in the future by giving money to reputable protectors, sharing information, and making choices based on their knowledge.
Conclusion
Even though they are in danger, Indochinese tigers keep living in the jungles of Southeast Asia.
But with less than 250 left in the wild, these famous big cats are getting closer to going extinct if something isn’t done quickly.
This summary should have given you a better idea of the Indochinese tiger’s natural past and its current problems.
Even though their future looks bad, it is not too late to stop these beautiful but threatened subspecies from worsening.
Concerned readers can help conservation efforts by donating to reputable wildlife sanctuaries, volunteering with protection groups, calling lawmakers, and spreading knowledge.
We all have a part to play in making sure that Indochinese tigers don’t go extinct by helping the hard work that is being done to keep them in the wild. Now is the time to help them before it’s too late.
