To save a tiger, you have to save the prey

If you want to save a top predator like the Malayan Tiger, you have to make sure it has enough prey to feed on.

Scientists at MYCAT (The Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers) have been studying the prey of the Malayan Tiger to see how the availability of prey to eat is affecting population numbers of the tigers.

Camera traps were used to take photos of the prey, including the sambar deer, the gaur (a type of bison) and the bearded pig.

An astonishing 10,145 photos were taken by the camera traps to find out the population trends of the prey.

They discovered that the prey are declining in numbers, making it more difficult for tigers to find food.

A camera trap photo of a sambar deer. Photo by Kae Kawanishi.

The gaur and the bearded pig have some protection in Malaysian law, but the sambar deer currently doesn’t have any.

The scientists are calling for there to be more protection of the sambar deer which is a popular is a target for hunters.

Malayan Tiger. Photo by Rhett. A. Butler / mongabay.com.
Malayan Tiger. Photo by Rhett. A. Butler / mongabay.com.

Want to learn more?  Read the full story: Scientists: to save the Malayan tiger, save its prey

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