The distribution of the Indochinese tiger is centered in Thailand, and it is also found in Myanmar, southern China, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and peninsular Malaysia. An estimated 1,050-1,750 Indochinese tigers are left in the wild, and about 60 live in zoos in Asia and the U.S.A.
The status of wild populations of the Indochinese tiger is relatively unknown. This is mostly due to its very broad distribution across most of Indochina, which includes southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Malaysia, and eastern Myanmar. In these countries, tigers live in remote forests in hilly to mountainous terrain, most of which occurs along boundaries with neighboring countries. Access to these areas is often restricted, and biologists have only recently been granted limited permits for field surveys. According to the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, as of 1994 there were 1,050 to 1,750 Indochinese tigers in the wild.
In Thailand, the center of the Indochinese tiger's range, a 1990 survey reports that about 250 tigers were still left, while Thai Royal Forest Department (RFD) officials suggest an estimate of 600 tigers. Many of these tiger populations are subject to encroachment, fragmentation, and isolation; conditions which lead to even fewer tigers. To Thailand's credit, eight interconnected forest areas larger than 2,000 km2 are currently maintained; one is larger than 12,000 km2, making it one of the largest contiguous habitats for tigers in Southeast Asia. The RFD is currently making a country-wide assessment of all protected areas using Geographic Information System (GIS) to more accurately assess the extent of tiger populations and available habitat.
The status of the Indochinese tiger in Lao PDR (formerly Laos) is unclear, because only recently has a protected areas system been established. Most of these areas exist only on paper, and they have yet to be staffed. In 1992, the first general surveys of these areas were initiated by the Lao Wildlife Department. Tigers were reported to occur in at least 17 sites, but definite signs of tigers were only found in four of the five larger sites, and then only occasionally. Also disturbing was the near absence of common tiger prey in all of the sites. Most lowland forest is gone, restricting tigers to prey-poor upland forests. Illegal trafficking in wildlife is well documented, and poaching is considered to be heavy. The Lao Wildlife Department considers its tiger populations to be declining. These observations suggest a bleak future for Indochinese tigers in Lao PDR.
The status of Indochinese tigers in Cambodia is even less precise. The Cambodian Wildlife Department is virtually nonexistent, trafficking and poaching are reputed to be heavy, and no zoos are established. According to the Cat Specialist Group, there are probably 100 to 200 tigers in Cambodia. Until better information is available, the tiger's future must be considered bleak too.
Under the Wildlife Conservation and Sanctuaries Division of the Forestry Department of Myanmar (formerly called Burma), a Protected Areas System of 16 Wildlife Sanctuaries and five National Parks was established in 1981. Today 40% of the country is still covered with closed forest. The Ayeyarwaddy River, which separates the Indochinese and Bengal tiger subspecies, flows from the north to the south through the middle of Myanmar. Fifteen years ago estimates placed about 3,000 tigers in Myanmar, half of these Indochinese. Despite these optimistic numbers, the general consensus of field biologists who have made brief forays to several protected areas suggests that current tiger numbers are dramatically lower. Like Lao PDR and Cambodia, trafficking and poaching are heavy. The Government of Myanmar is seeking ways to improve the situation for tigers. Wildlife and Protected Areas legislation was enacted in June 1992, placing the tiger in the Completely Protected category of their Protected Species List. They have also drafted a comprehensive Tiger Conservation Action Plan.
According to the Ministry of Forestry in Vietnam, the Indochinese tiger is found in 24 of the 87 established Nature Reserves and National Parks. Some reserves are quite large, and a comprehensive interview census is currently underway to establish tiger numbers. In 1994 the Cat Specialist Group reported an estimated 200–300 tigers were living in seven Nature Reserves. Poaching is ongoing, and tiger skins, teeth, and bones can be readily purchased in major cities. Officials admit that tiger populations are declining in Vietnam.
Under the Protection of Wildlife Act, the Indochinese tiger in Malaysia has been designated a totally protected species since 1976. At that time, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks estimated that some 300 tigers were found on the Peninsula; its numbers have now increased to about 520 individuals in about 10 existing sites, and possibly as high as 600–650 if restricted access security sites are included. Most of these sites are quite small, and the resident tiger populations may be too small to be considered viable. The existing protected system area of Malaysia is over 1.1 million hectares, and another 2 million hectares could be considered tiger habitat. Unlike elsewhere in Asia, Malaysia has been very effective in reducing poaching. They estimate the rate has decreased from about 19 tigers per year (during 1972–1976) to one tiger per year. Malaysia is interested in establishing two transborder reserves with Thailand, where some 40 tigers are believed to occur.
In July 1995 the Zoological Parks Organization of Thailand (ZPO) held a masterplan meeting to develop a captive management program for Indochinese tigers in Thai zoos. Participants from zoos and wildlife agencies in Malaysia, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Singapore assisted at the meeting in the analysis of the origin of captive tigers, the role of Thai and other Asian zoos in supporting the conservation of wild tigers, and the development of a ZPO Indochinese Tiger Masterplan. Similar masterplans may be developed in neighboring tiger range countries. Zoos in Malaysia in particular have a relatively large and successful captive management program for Indochinese tigers. The CBSG Tiger GASP estimates that in 1995 there are about 60 Indochinese tigers in captivity in Asian and North American zoos. Only four wild-caught founders have bred and contributed to the managed captive population. Captive management programs for Indochinese tigers in Asia are currently being developed and expanded.
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