| The Javan Tiger Status: Extinct Scientific Name: Panthera tigris sondaica Range: The Indonesian island of Java. Habitat: Forested areas throughout the island but as deforestation grew the Javan tiger retreated to more mountainous areas with a prey base of ungulates including Rusa deer and wild boar. Facts & Thoughts: One of the smaller subspecies, the Javan tiger was a victim of human population growth with deforestation and a "pest" status leading to its extinction. The last evidence of the Javan tiger was in 1987 so in all likelihood it was the most recent extinction of a subspecies, although the status of the South China tiger is in dispute. However, in 2008 the unidentified body of a mountain biker was claimed to be the victim of a tiger and there was an unconfirmed sighting in 2009. Despite incidents like these, experts believe it is highly unlikely the Javan tiger still exists and the extinction status has not changed. |
