Submission (#888) Approved

The Malayan tiger was listed as one of the most endangered species of tigers on the planet. They are considered critically endanger and take a high priority when it comes to species protection. They have their origins in Malaysia and surround areas. They were commonly hunted by locals in the 1800s for their coats, as well as to protect smaller villages that had been plagued by tiger attacks. Conflict with humans made it difficult for tigers to hold large territories, which resulted in population decline. Even with measures put in place to keep humans and tigers separate, incidents still occur. This and rapid habitat loss are some of the biggest factors in why the Malayan Tiger is so endangered.
Like many tigers, their diets consist of hunted meat. The Malaysian tiger preys on small to medium sized prey, such as Sambar deer, wild boars, and even baby rhinos or elephants. It is debatable weather tapirs are a staple part of their diet, but there have been reported sighting of tigers hunting tapir as an emergency meal. Though it is rare, livestock can also be on the menu if wild food is scarce. Malayan tigers live in tropical forests in southeastern Asia, where high humidity and food are common. Their current territory is very small, only covering a few patches of jungle. This environment allows the tiger to have a varied diet due to the large population of species in small areas. The dense shrubs and trees make it hard for prey to spot any tigers approaching. Most deer can not tell the difference between orange and green, making it nearly impossible to view a hidden tiger. The dense rainforest provides lots of food sources, as well as shelter and fresh water. While livestock is not their main diet, lack of food and habitat has pushed some predators to encroach on human territory. This conflict is why many tigers end up being hurt or injured by people.
Sadly, due to palm oil plantations and unauthorized trading, the Malayan tiger’s population is very low, with only 120 adults left in the wild. While many are bred and cared for in captivity, efforts to repopulate wild areas with new breeding adults is still underway. Laws and bans have been put in place to discourage poachers, but the palm oil industry has little to no regulation when it comes to its impact on local environments. Malaysian government officials have advocated for environmental protection in the past, but it is often difficult to manage the breeding, release, and protection of tigers. Conservations and sanctuaries provide safe homes for tigers who are either injured or can not be released into the wild.
The protection of these tigers is important due to their role in the ecosystem. Large predators help control the food chain and are essential to a healthy ecosystem. Without a large carnivores such as the Malayan tiger, over-population of deer could become an issue. The jungle will suffer as a result of their loss.

Sources:
https://malaysianwildlife.org/malayan-tiger-panthera-tigris-jacksoni/
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/photo-ark-malayan-tiger/
https://a-z-animals.com/animals/malayan-tiger/