Malayan Tiger

Smaller than the Bengal tiger, the Malayan tiger roams within a limited range of the Malay Peninsula and the southern tip of Thailand. They feed on large mammals such as deer, wild boar, Bornean pigs, and occasionally young elephants and rhinos. As alpha predators, the reduction of the tiger population has caused a major imbalance in the food chain. Once king of the jungle, this majestic cat is shockingly close to extinction due to habitat fragmentation and poaching. Tigers are often poached so their body parts can be used in traditional Chinese medicine (a use for which there is no scientifically proven benefit).