Why are the Sunda Tigers Important?

The Sunda Tiger is important to Sumatra because it plays an important role as an apex predator. It eats the herbivores and therefore indicates a healthy forest. According to World Wildlife Fund “The last of the Sunda island tigers—estimated to be fewer than 400 today—are holding on for survival in the remaining patches of forest on the island of Sumatra.” Because Sunda Tigers have such beautiful orange coats, people poach and hunt them. Although tiger hunting is illegal everywhere, the killing has accelerated. Prices for tigers, dead or alive, continue to soar as populations collapse. ( Earth Island Institute )