Top 12 Essential Facts You Need to Know About the Malayan Tiger

The Malayan tiger shows no significant difference compared to its relatives in the Indochina Peninsula when specimens from both regions are accurately compared, especially in terms of skeletal structure. No designated specimen has been identified. The Malayan tiger seems to be smaller than the Indian tiger. Based on measurements from 11 males and 8 females, the average length of the males is 259 cm, while females average 239 cm. The body length of 16 female tigers from Terengganu ranges from 180 to 260 cm, with an average of 203 cm. Their height varies between 23 to 41 inches (58 to 104 cm), and their body weight ranges from 24 to 88 kg. Data from 21 male tigers in Terengganu show a total length ranging from 190 to 280 cm, with an average of 239 cm. Their height ranges from 61 to 114 cm, and their body weight varies from 47.2 to 129.1 kg.

The geographical distinction between the Malayan tiger and the Indochinese tiger is not well defined, as the tiger populations in northern Malaysia overlap with those in southern Thailand. In Singapore, tigers were declared locally extinct in the 1950s, with the last recorded individual being killed in 1932. Between 1991 and 2003, reports of tiger sightings came from various areas, including agricultural lands outside forests in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Johor, as well as from several riverine habitats outside the forests of Pahang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Johor. Most major rivers flowing into the South China Sea contained evidence of tiger presence, whereas rivers flowing into the Strait of Malacca did not.

The presence of tigers has not been reported in the states of Perlis, Penang, and Malacca, nor in the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya along the west coast. The total potential tiger habitat area is 66,211 km2, which includes 37,674 km2 of confirmed tiger habitat, 11,655 km2 of expected tiger habitat, and 16,882 km2 of possible tiger habitat. All protected areas larger than 402 km2 are home to tigers.

In September 2014, two conservation organizations reported that a camera trap survey conducted at seven sites across three distinct habitats between 2010 and 2013 estimated that between 250 and 340 healthy Malayan tigers remained, with a few isolated individuals.

The report suggests that the decline in numbers may lead to this tiger species being classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. Since 2019, due to poaching and depletion of prey, the tiger population in the Belum-Temengor Forest Reserve has decreased by around 60% over 7-8 years, from approximately 60 individuals to 23.

Malayan tigers typically hunt deer, muntjac, wild boar, Borneo bearded pigs, and goats. They also prey on sun bears, calves, and rhino calves. There are unconfirmed reports that they may also target adult wild cattle and elephants. Occasionally, livestock becomes a target; however, their predation on wild boar has contributed to a decrease in this omnivorous species, which could otherwise become a major pest to human plantations and agricultural areas. Studies indicate that in areas where large predators (tigers and leopards) have been extirpated, wild boar populations are ten times higher compared to areas where tigers and leopards are still present.

Like the Indochinese tiger, the Malayan tiger prefers a solitary lifestyle in dense forests, making them difficult to detect. They appear at very low densities, ranging from 1.1 to 1.98 individuals per 100 km2 (390 square miles) in their range. Information on their feeding preferences, morphological measurements, population parameters, social structure, communication, territorial size, and dispersal capabilities is still lacking.

Malayan tigers are solitary animals, only coming together during mating season. Females tend to be loyal and selective when choosing a mate, while males are less discriminating. Female tigers reach sexual maturity at around years of age, while males mature later.

Their mating season lasts from November to February. Tigers often roar loudly (up to 2 km) in search of a mate.

The gestation period for female tigers is between 102 and 106 days, and they give birth to 2 to 4 cubs. Newborn tigers weigh approximately 780 to 1,600 grams, and their eyes remain closed until they are about 6 days old. Within two weeks, their milk teeth begin to grow, and they can start eating meat by the time they are 8 weeks old.

Young tigers stay with their mother in a family group until they can hunt on their own. Typically, this period lasts between 18 and 20 months.

Habitat fragmentation due to development projects and agriculture poses a significant threat. Between 1988 and 2012, approximately 13,500 km2 of habitat was lost in Peninsular Malaysia. Nearly 64,800 km2 was converted into large-scale industrial plantations, primarily for palm oil production. Only about 8,300 km2 remains as primary tiger habitat.

Poaching occurs at various levels across all states within the tiger's range. Malaysia has seen a significant domestic market for tiger meat and products made from tiger bones in recent years.

Between 2001 and 2012, body parts from at least 100 tigers were seized in Malaysia. In 2008, police discovered 19 frozen tiger cubs in a zoo. In 2012, the skins and bones of 22 tigers were confiscated.

The demand for tiger body parts in traditional Chinese medicine has also attracted poachers from Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. From 2014 to 2019, anti-poaching units removed about 1,400 traps from protected areas.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for the virus.

The Malayan tiger is strictly prohibited from being traded internationally under all forms, as listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Additionally, the domestic trade of tigers is banned.

In 2007, the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) launched a hotline for citizens to report crimes related to tigers, such as poaching. To combat tiger hunting, MYCAT also established a patrol unit called "Cat Walk" to monitor and protect high-risk areas. Moreover, MYCAT is responsible for the breeding of Malayan tigers.

As of 2011, 54 Malayan tigers were living in zoos across North America. The Cincinnati Zoo was the first in North America to house Malayan tigers, importing three males and three females from Asia between 1990 and 1992. The Taiping Zoo in Malaysia and the Night Safari in Singapore are also places where this species can be observed.

When the Malayan tiger population was recognized as a distinct subspecies in 2004, the president of the Malaysian Association of Zoos, Parks, and Aquaria (MAZPA) proposed that the species should be scientifically named “Panthera tigris malayensis” to reflect its geographic origin. However, the final decision was to name it the “Malayan tiger” in English, with the scientific name “Panthera tigris jacksoni” in honor of the tiger conservationist, Peter Jackson.

The Malayan tiger is a national symbol of Malaysia. Two tigers are depicted on the national coat of arms of both Malaysia and Singapore, serving as guardians to help these nations navigate through challenges.

It is featured on Malaysia's national crest as well as the logos of several government organizations, including Maybank, Negara Malaysia, PROTON Holdings, and the Football Association of Malaysia. The tiger also serves as the nickname for the Malaysian national football team. It symbolizes the courage and strength of the Malaysian people.

The Malayan tiger is also known by various local names, notably 'Pak Belang', which means 'the striped one' or 'Uncle Stripes'. Pak Belang is a prominent figure in Malaysian folklore, often portrayed as one of the enemies of Sang Kancil (the mouse deer). Singapore's national emblem also features a tiger alongside a lion, with the tiger representing a more local connection to the region, symbolizing the historical bond between Malaysia and Singapore.

Description Information:

• Common Name: Malayan Tiger
• Scientific Name: Panthera tigris jacksoni
• Class: Mammal
• Diet: Carnivore
• Conservation Status: Endangered

The Malayan tiger (scientific name: Panthera tigris jacksoni, synonym: Panthera tigris malayensis; Malay: Harimau Malaya) is a subspecies of tiger found exclusively in the central and southern regions of the Malay Peninsula.

Currently, it is estimated that there are between 250 and 340 adult Malayan tigers remaining in the wild as of 2013. Additionally, there are fewer than 200 adults in captivity, with a declining population, making it the third largest tiger population after the Bengal and Indochinese tigers. However, it is still classified as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List of 2015.

The Malayan tiger is a subspecies of tiger native to the central and southern regions of the Malay Peninsula. In 2015, it was classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is estimated that between 250 and 340 adult Malayan tigers remained in the wild as of 2013, with the population likely continuing to decline. In Malay, this tiger is called “Harimau,” often shortened to “Rimau.”

Initially, in 1968, the Malayan tiger was considered to be a subspecies of the Indochinese tiger. However, in 2004, genetic analysis revealed differences in mitochondrial DNA sequences and other genetic markers, prompting the IUCN to officially recognize the Malayan tiger and the Indochinese tiger as separate subspecies in 2017.

When the Malayan tiger was officially recognized as a subspecies within the tiger family, the announcement was met with enthusiasm in Malaysia. However, controversy arose over its scientific name. Some researchers proposed naming it Panthera tigris jacksoni in honor of Peter Jackson’s contributions to the study of big cat species.

However, the Malaysian Association of Zoos, Parks, and Aquaria (MAZPA), along with the Malaysian government, objected, arguing that Malaysia should be consulted on naming their national symbol. Malaysia advocated for the scientific name Panthera tigris malayensis, which reflects the tiger's geographical origin. This name was also adopted by the San Diego Zoo.

In 2018, a genetic study published in 2018 supported the existence of six distinct subspecies based on the analysis of full genome sequences from 32 samples. The Malayan tiger appeared to be genetically different from other continental Asian tiger populations, further supporting the concept of six subspecies.

In Malay, the tiger is referred to as 'harimau,' often shortened to 'rimau.' It is also known as the Indochinese tiger of the south, distinguished from the northern Indochinese tiger population based on genetic differences.