International co‐operative efforts to save the Sumatran tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae

Abstract

The Endangered status of the Sumatran tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae is now well recognized around the world, with an estimated population of 400–500 remaining in the wild and c. 245 Sumatran tigers maintained ex situ. In recognition of the situation, the Indonesian government has prioritized the steps necessary for effective conservation of the subspecies, formalized in 1994 in the Ministry of Forestry's far‐sighted document, the Indonesian Sumatran Tiger Conservation Strategy (Ministry of Forestry, 1994). This document inspired the initiation of a multitude of programmes, which evolved into a multi‐national conservation effort to save the Sumatran tiger, involving the World Conservation Union specialist groups, zoological parks, universities, governments and corporations working co‐operatively with Indonesian forestry and wildlife agencies. In this article, we illustrate how the traditionally isolated fields of ex situ (zoos and captive management) and in situ conservation (wildlife agencies and field programmes) can work together. In today's world close co‐operation of workers in these two fields will become increasingly necessary for effective conservation action.