INDOCHINESE TIGER
Panthera tigris corbetti 


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. 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. 

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
4-5 adult tigers/100 km2 (62 miles) in optimal habitat.



Wild Tigers: Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia

The status of wild populations of the Indochinese tiger is relatively unknown. This is mostly due to its
very broad distribution across most of Indochina, which includes southern China, Vietnam,
Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Malaysia, and eastern Myanmar. In these countries, tigers live in
remote forests in hilly to mountainous terrain, most of which occurs along boundaries with
neighboring countries. Access to these areas is often restricted, and biologists have only recently
been granted limited permits for field surveys. According to the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, as of
1997 there were 1,227 to 1,785 Indochinese tigers in the wild.



Wild Tigers: Thailand

In Thailand, the center of the Indochinese tiger's range, a
1990 survey reports that about 250 tigers were still left,
while Thai Royal Forest Department (RFD) officials suggest
an estimate of 600 tigers. Many of these tiger populations
are subject to encroachment, fragmentation, and isolation;
conditions which lead to even fewer tigers. To Thailand's
credit, eight interconnected forest areas larger than 2,000
km2 are currently maintained; one is larger than 12,000
km2, making it one of the largest contiguous habitats for
tigers in Southeast Asia. The RFD is currently making a
country-wide assessment of all protected areas using
Geographic Information System (GIS) methodology to more
accurately assess the extent of tiger populations and
available habitat.



Wild Tigers: Lao PDR

The status of the Indochinese tiger in Lao PDR (formerly Laos) is unclear, because only recently has
a protected areas system been established. Most of these areas exist only on paper, and they have
yet to be staffed. In 1992, the first general surveys of these areas were initiated by the Lao Wildlife
Department. Tigers were reported to occur in at least 17 sites, but definite signs of tigers were only
found in four of the five larger sites, and then only occasionally. Also disturbing was the near absence
of common tiger prey in all of the sites. Most lowland forest is gone, restricting tigers to prey-poor
upland forests. Illegal trafficking in wildlife is well documented, and poaching is considered to be
heavy. The Lao Wildlife Department considers its tiger populations to be declining. These
observations suggest a bleak future for Indochinese tigers in Lao PDR.



Wild Tigers: Cambodia

The status of Indochinese tigers in Cambodia is even less precise. The Cambodian Wildlife
Department is virtually nonexistent, trafficking and poaching are reputed to be heavy, and no zoos
are established. According to the a 1995 presentation by Samith, Sophana, Vuthy and Rotha, the
population is estimated to be from 150 to 300 animals. Until better information is available, the tiger's
future must be considered bleak too.



Wild Tigers: Myanmar

Under the Wildlife Conservation and Sanctuaries Division of the Forestry Department of Myanmar
(formerly called Burma), a Protected Areas System of 16 Wildlife Sanctuaries and five National
Parks was established in 1981. Today 40% of the country is still covered with closed forest. The
Irrawaddy River, which separates the Indochinese and Bengal tiger subspecies, flows from the north
to the south through the middle of Myanmar. Fifteen years ago estimates placed about 3,000 tigers
in Myanmar, half of these Indochinese. A report delivered at the Year of the Tiger Conference (Uga
and Than, 1998, unpublished), estimated between 106 and 234 Indochinese tigers extant in eastern
Myanmar. Like Lao PDR and Cambodia, trafficking and poaching are heavy. The Government of
Myanmar is seeking ways to improve the situation for tigers. Wildlife and Protected Areas legislation
was enacted in June 1992, placing the tiger in the Completely Protected category of their Protected
Species List. They have also drafted a comprehensive Tiger Conservation Action Plan.



Wild Tigers: Vietnam

According to the Ministry of Forestry in Vietnam, the Indochinese tiger is found in 24 of the 87
established Nature Reserves and National Parks. Some reserves are quite large, and a
comprehensive interview census is currently underway to establish tiger numbers. In 1994 the Cat
Specialist Group reported an estimated 200-300 tigers were living in seven Nature Reserves. A
1995 presentation by Bao et al. suggested that no more than 200 tigers survived. Poaching is
ongoing, and tiger skins, teeth, and bones can be readily purchased in major cities. Officials admit
that tiger populations are declining in Vietnam.



Wild Tigers: Malaysia

Under the Protection of Wildlife Act, the Indochinese tiger in Malaysia has been designated a totally
protected species since 1976. At that time, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks estimated
that some 300 tigers were found on the Peninsula; its numbers have now increased to about 520
individuals in about 10 existing sites, and possibly as high as 600-650 if restricted access security
sites are included. Most of these sites are quite small, and the resident tiger populations may be too
small to be considered viable. The existing protected system area of Malaysia is over 1.1 million
hectares, and another 2 million hectares could be considered tiger habitat. Unlike elsewhere in Asia,
Malaysia has been very effective in reducing poaching. They estimate the rate has decreased from
about 19 tigers per year (during 1972–1976) to one tiger per year. Malaysia is interested in
establishing two transborder reserves with Thailand, where some 40 tigers are believed to occur. A
presentation at the Year of the Tiger Conference by Jasmi bin Abdul (1998, unpublished) estimated
the Malaysian population between 491 and 510.



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. 

Indochinese Tiger Masterplan for Thailand