Each year, the Kansas City Zoo Run features a different endangered species.

This year's endangered species:
The Sumatran Tiger!

Stripes of Sumatran Tigers

The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of the six subspecies of tiger. This smaller size allows them to move quickly throughout the jungles of Sumatra. Critically endangered with fewer than 400 animals remaining, Sumatran tigers are considered to be the most vulnerable of all remaining tiger subspecies.

Wild tiger numbers are at an all-time low. The number of tigers has declined by nearly 95% over the past century. Sumatran tigers may be on top of the food chain in Asia and one of the most culturally important animals in the world, but they are also facing extinction. Tigers compete for space with dense human populations and face pressure from poaching and habitat loss.

Sumatran tigers share a unique and diverse environment with the Sumatran orangutan and rhinoceros, elephant, hornbill and other birds, a huge variety of amphibians and reptiles and more than 8,000 species of plants. They are protected by Indonesian law but despite these tough penalties of jail time and fines, the bones of the tiger are still traded and are believed to have medicinal value.

Throughout history the Sumatran tiger has be revered by the indigenous people of the region. The Batak tribes in Northern Sumatra call the tiger “Opung” or grandfather. In West Sumatra, the Jambi tribe refers to the tiger as “Datuk,” meaning one who is respected. It is believed that if villagers hear a tigers roar it is a warning of impending disaster. In ancient times each village had a tiger handler who was reported to have the ability to summon tigers from the forest by burning incense and chanting mantras.

Brothers, Manis and Langka, at the Kansas City Zoo are eight-years old and arrived at the Zoo in March 2006. As carnivores, they favorite food is raw beef. Once a week they get a bone that they are very protective of. As enrichment, they are provide hard plastic objects that they throw in their pool and pounce on. In Indonesian, Langka means “rare” in Manis means “sweet.”

Portions of proceeds go to support the Sumatran Tiger through www.wcs.org. For more about the specific project, click here.