THE ILLEGAL MARKET IN TIGER PARTS IN NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA

The Sumatran tiger is the only one of three original subspecies of tig ers that survives in Indonesia today. Ifs wild population, estimated t o be 400-650 animals, has progressively diminished because of habitat destruction, poaching and the removal of tigers involved in conflicts with local farmers. This paper presents previously undocumented inform ation on the market in tiger products. It shows that, while no documen tation of intentional tiger poaching to meet an international demand f or tiger bones teas recorded, the domestic demand for tiger bones, tee th and claws is still a potential threat to the future survival of thi s subspecies. In addition to continuing work to protect the integrity of tiger habitat in Sumatra, enforcement actions are required to preve nt the domestic market for tiger parts increasing the threats to this subspecies and to ensure its conservation.