Our Field Correspondent, Stephanie Arne, from the Honolulu Zoo, joins us for a conversation about Sumatran Tigers.  These large, beautiful carnivores exist at the top of the food chain. The island of Sumatra is the only place where tigers, rhinos, orangutans and elephants live together and the presence of the Sumatran tiger is an important indicator of biodiversity in that forest. Protecting tigers and their habitat means many other species benefit—including humans. However, tigers suffer near extinction due primarily to habitat loss and poaching.  Most of the lush tropical rain forests, over 80%,  on Sumatra have been destroyed by logging and Oil Palm plantations.  Further, despite efforts from conservation organizations, there is no evidence that poaching of tigers has declined in recent years, with 78% of tiger deaths attributed to poaching for trade.  That is at least 40 animals killed each year.  The island has seen a 50% decrease in the number of tigers since 1998.  This according to Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund.  Our conversation discusses these environmental issues, as well as, introduces us to the three Sumatran Tigers that now call the Honolulu Zoo their home. Wonderful photos of the beautiful tigers discussed in this episode are on the Episode14 Show Notes page, on our website.

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