October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Breeding

Camera Traps Record a Local Surge in Endangered Sumatran Tiger Sightings

A multi-year camera-trap survey in Aceh recorded 282 clear tiger images and identified 27 Sumatran tigers, including three groups of cubs. The result is a strong local conservation signal, not proof of an island-wide population boom.

By Animalso Team 5 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Yes—but the surge is local, not evidence that Sumatra’s entire tiger population suddenly tripled. Infrared-camera surveys in Aceh’s northern Leuser Ecosystem produced 282 sufficiently clear tiger images and identified 27 individuals: 14 females, 12 males and one of unknown sex. The image total was nearly three times higher than results from earlier 90-day surveys at other Sumatran sites. The 27 tigers are a minimum count for the surveyed landscape and periods, not an island-wide total.

What the cameras found

The findings come from a 2025 report in Frontiers in Conservation Science. The report says each tiger’s stripe pattern was used to distinguish individuals rather than counting every photograph as a separate animal.

  • 282 images were clear enough for analysis.
  • 27 individual tigers were identified.
  • The identified animals included 14 females, 12 males and one tiger whose sex could not be determined.
  • Three sets of cubs were documented during the 2023 monitoring session.

The report described the local population as robust and apparently among the healthiest on Sumatra. Cubs and a high proportion of identified females are encouraging signs of reproduction, although a few months of photographs cannot measure long-term survival or population growth by themselves.

Where and when the surveys ran

The work covered the northern Leuser Ecosystem in Aceh, Indonesia. Camera coverage expanded across three deployments:

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
GardePro A3S Non-Cellular Trail Camera, 1296P HD Video with Sound
  • Advanced Sensor for Superior Low-Light Performance: Equipped with a Sony Starvis Sensor, this trail camera captures high-resolution images and videos even in low-light conditions, with night vision up to 100 feet.
  • High-Resolution Photos & HD Video with Sound: Equipped with a high-quality optical lens and advanced image sensor, the A3S captures 64MP ultra-clear photos and 1296P HD video with sound, allowing you to not only see but also hear natural wildlife activity in the field.
  • Low-Power, Eco-Friendly Wildlife Viewing: Simply retrieve the SD card to see what your camera has captured-each visit could bring a new surprise. Non-Cellular and Non-WiFi operation ensures minimal power use, fewer battery changes, and zero disturbances.
  • Instant Capture & Stealth Night Vision: Capture fast-moving wildlife in just 0.1s with a 120° wide PIR detection angle and up to 5-shot bursts. Invisible 940nm no-glow infrared delivers clear night images without alerting animals-ideal for wildlife monitoring or discreet security.
  • Flexible Power & Storage for Outdoor Use: Powered by 8×AA batteries (not included), the camera is designed for reliable long-term outdoor operation. It also supports the GardePro SP350 Solar Panel (sold separately) for continuous power in remote environments. Flexible recording modes including Motion Detection, Time-Lapse, and Hybrid Mode, combined with support for up to 512GB SD cards (not included), in-camera playback, and loop recording, ensure you never miss important moments in the field.
Deployment period Cameras What it represents
March–May 2023 34 Initial survey period
June–December 2023 59 Expanded 2023 monitoring; three cub groups were recorded during the study’s six-month session
May–November 2024 74 Further expansion of coverage

Because camera numbers and deployment windows changed, the image total should be read as the output of a multi-period survey effort, not as a simple year-to-year count.

How large is the “surge”?

The report says the cameras produced nearly three times as many tiger images as previous 90-day surveys at other Sumatran sites. That is a striking survey result, but raw image totals are not population estimates. A meaningful comparison must account for:

  • the number of cameras operating;
  • the number of active camera-trap days;
  • survey duration and seasonal timing;
  • forest type and the amount of habitat sampled;
  • prey availability and protection from poaching; and
  • whether reports present photographs, unique animals, occupancy or a density estimate.

A tiger can trigger multiple cameras and appear repeatedly over several days. Conversely, an animal may pass outside the camera grid and go undetected. Stripe-pattern identification reduces duplicate counting, but it cannot turn one landscape survey into a census of the island.

Rank #2
Sale
MAXDONE Solar Trail Camera, 4K 64MP WiFi Bluetooth Night Vision Game Camera
  • 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢, 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫/𝟒𝐆/𝟓𝐆 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬, and 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐓 capable of real-time motion alerts or push notifications. The camera creates its own short-range Wi-Fi hotspot (𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫) for setup, and downloading files only. Wi-Fi range is up to 33–50 ft in open areas. The camera records automatically even when your phone is not connected. No subscription or monthly fees
  • Upgraded Split Solar Panel Design: This trail camera features a Allows flexible placement design. Its angle can be manually adjusted to efficiently face the sun, regardless of seasonal changes or terrain. This greatly improves charging efficiency and minimizes sunlight blockage, making it suitable for all kinds of outdoor environments (32GB SD card included (pre-installed). No extra charge)
  • Non-Stop Solar Power: Equipped with a high-capacity 6000mAh rechargeable power, this trail camera supports three charging modes: solar charging, Type-C charging, and rechargeable power. It allows for long-term continuous use. No more wasting money or climbing. It is the truly energy saving, and long-lasting solution for 24/7 backyard, farm, and deep-woods surveillance
  • Easy & Smart App Control : This wifi trail camera pairs instantly via WiFi + Bluetooth with the user friendly “TrailCamGO” app, with a maximum connection range of 55FT (recommended within 10FT). Photos and videos can be send directly to your phone without removing the SD card. (As the wireless trail camera creates its own hotspot to connect with the phone, it does not support home Wi-Fi networks.)
  • 4K & 64MP Ultra-Clear Imaging: With a high-resolution sensor and excellent low-light performance, this solar trail camera minimizes image and video blur or noise, enabling quick wildlife recognition and capturing every detail clearly.Ideal for birdwatching, spotting wildlife, and keeping an eye on your garden/home

Does this mean Sumatran tigers are making a comeback?

It is better described as a strong local conservation signal. The Leuser results show that a substantial breeding population persists where suitable forest, prey and protection remain available. They do not establish a confirmed recovery across all of Sumatra.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

WWF classifies the Sunda tiger as critically endangered. The only surviving Sunda tigers are on Sumatra; the populations once found on Java and Bali are extinct. WWF identifies habitat loss, poaching and declining prey as continuing pressures, so a successful camera survey should not be mistaken for a change in the species’ overall threat status.

Why the Leuser landscape may be supporting tigers

The study links the local result to several conditions working together:

Rank #3
Sale
GardePro E6 WiFi Trail Camera, Stable WiFi with External Antenna
  • Easy WiFi Access: The GardePro E6 features ultra-low-power WiFi + Bluetooth technology and works exclusively with the GardePro Mobile App—no monthly fee required. Note: The E6 does not connect to home WiFi routers or cellular networks. This camera supports direct connection to a smartphone only, using Bluetooth and the camera’s built-in WiFi (range up to 45 ft). PCs, laptops, and web browsers are not supported for WiFi connection.
  • 64MP Photos & 1296P HD Video: Equipped with a premium optical lens (110° wide view) and an advanced image sensor, the E6 captures exceptionally crisp 64MP photos and clear 1296P HD videos. With H.264 video encoding, you can preview photos and videos quickly without needing to download them first—saving time and storage.
  • Live View for Real-Time Wildlife Observation: Use Live View to see exactly what’s in front of your camera in real time, without disturbing wildlife (connect up to 45 ft away in open areas). Ideal for observing birds, deer, foxes, or cave-dwelling animals. During installation, you can check the view to ensure there are no obstructions and the camera is properly positioned.
  • No-Glow 940nm Infrared for Stealth Night Vision: Enhanced 940nm no-glow IR LEDs make the camera completely invisible at night. The adaptive illumination system prevents overexposure and ensures balanced brightness, delivering clear nighttime images up to 75 ft without disturbing wildlife.
  • Long-Lasting Power Options: Powered by 8×AA 1.5V batteries (not included). For extended outdoor use, the E6 also supports the GardePro SP350 Solar Panel (sold separately), providing continuous, maintenance-free power even in remote locations.
  • remaining lowland and hill forest;
  • enough prey to sustain resident tigers;
  • ranger patrols that deter illegal activity; and
  • cooperation with Acehnese and Gayo communities.

Those factors also explain why results can differ sharply between nearby landscapes. A camera grid in intact, patrolled forest samples a different risk and habitat environment from one in fragmented forest with heavy snaring.

How this compares with other Sumatran camera-trap work

Other projects provide useful context, but their results are not directly interchangeable with the Leuser image count.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Landscape and source Reported finding How to interpret it
Northern Leuser Ecosystem, Aceh (Frontiers in Conservation Science, 2025) 282 clear images; 27 identified tigers Individual identification from a multi-period survey
Bukit Tigapuluh (WWF-Indonesia annual report, 2023) At least nine adults and two cubs Result after three years of collaborative camera trapping; one tiger also had a snare wound
Rimbang Baling (WWF-Indonesia field report, 2015) 3,262 active camera-trap days at 104 deployment points An effort figure, not a directly comparable tiger count

The differences in effort, timing, habitat and reporting units are why “more photographs” does not automatically mean “more tigers.”

Rank #4
WOSPORTS Trail Camera(Non-Cellular Non-WiFi) 64MP 4K 0.2S Trigger Motion Activated,Game Camera with No-Glow Night Vision 2.0''LCD 120°Wide for Outdoor Scouting Wildlife Monitoring Home Security
  • New version trail cam: Clear Day & Night Imaging Capture sharp 64MP photos (adjustable: 5/16/36/48/56/64MP) and smooth 4K HD videos (3840x2160P /2560x1440P). The high-quality optical lens ensures crisp daytime images and night vision performance, making it ideal for wildlife observation, deer scouting, and property surveillance.
  • 0.2S trigger speed : WOSPORTS Wildlife Trail camera with sound captures action instantly. The 120° wide-angle detection and 1–3 burst shooting mode help ensure no moment is missed—Ideal for deer camera setups, farm surveillance, and backyard security.
  • 32pcs 940 IR LEDs:No-Glow Night Vision & Motion Activated Wildlife Camera, which is less terrified to wild animals.The invisible infrared illumination helps capture natural animal behavior in complete darkness.Equipped with a 2-inch color LCD screen, you can easily preview photos and videos directly on the device without removing the SD card(include 16GB Max256GB--not included)The intuitive menu and password protection make setup simple and secure.
  • Extended Power Options & Efficient Design: Supports 8xAA batteries (not included), or WOSPORTS rechargeable lithium battery(sold separately), or a compatible solar panel (sold separately), offering flexible and reliable power solutions for extended outdoor monitoring and wildlife observation.
  • Multi-function trail camera:This waterproof game camera is designed for scouting the wildlife or home yard security with many functions(Time Switch/Timer/Time Stamp Function Etc.) You can easy to use it by following user manual.This Trail camera is a great gift choice for your family and friends!

What long-term monitoring can reveal

Dr Joe Figel, one of the Leuser study’s researchers, stressed that multi-year camera trapping is needed to estimate demographic measures such as survival, recruitment, territory tenure and population growth rate. Repeated surveys can show whether cubs survive, whether adults remain in the same territories and whether new animals are entering the population.

Camera-trap studies estimate population size and distribution, study habitat use and identify corridors that need protection. Those analyses require a planned camera layout, repeated sampling and statistical treatment of detections and non-detections—not simply placing a few cameras and adding up photographs.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Why a high detection rate does not remove the danger

A separate Scientific Reports assessment of Ulu Masen documented six tiger-snaring incidents between 2008 and 2023 in or within 100 kilometres of its study area. The Bukit Tigapuluh report likewise noted a snare injury on one photographed tiger. Such records show that even productive habitat remains dangerous.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
WOSODA Mini Trail Camera 4 Pack 30MP 1080P HD, Game Cam with SD Card, Waterproof Tiny Deer Camera Night Vision Motion Activated with Fast Trigger Time for Outdoor Wildlife Monitoring
  • 30MP photo & 1080P video: This mini trail camera captures 30MP clear images and full HD 1080P video during day (color) and night (black and white), ensure every details will be captured. (Included 4pcs 16GB SD cards and 16pcs AA batteries) Since the camera cannot connect to a phone, accessing photos or videos requires removing the SD card.
  • Fast trigger speed: The WOSODA game camera features a trigger speed of 0.3s ensures that no details are missed, allowing for precise and fast capturing of photos or videos even in the dark.
  • Low power consumption: The deer camera with night vision only need 4 AA batteries, with such a compact design, it boasts a sleek appearance and offers extended standby time under the same conditions, without the need for frequent battery replacements.
  • Stealthiness: Trail cam feature a camouflage appearance, allowing it to blend better into the natural environment and avoid easy detection by target animals or others.
  • Easy to Operate: These wildlife trail cameras are designed for simple setup and operation. They are ideal for a variety of outdoor applications, such as home security, property surveillance, wildlife monitoring, and farm safety.

Protecting connected forest, maintaining prey populations, removing snares and sustaining ranger and community programmes are necessary if the Leuser signal is to become a durable recovery rather than a temporary pocket of abundance.

Can you use a wildlife infrared camera trap?

A wildlife infrared camera trap is the appropriate equipment for educational observation or field monitoring. It can record animals without a photographer being present and can help document where wildlife travels. However, a few consumer cameras cannot produce a professional tiger-density estimate. That requires a study design, enough cameras and deployment days, repeated sampling, individual identification and specialist analysis.

Anyone deploying a camera in tiger habitat should follow local access rules, avoid disturbing wildlife, protect sensitive location data and coordinate with conservation authorities where required. The value of a camera comes from a well-designed monitoring question, not from the number of clips it stores.

What would demonstrate island-wide recovery?

A credible recovery claim would require consistent, multi-year evidence from multiple Sumatran landscapes: stable or rising numbers of individually identified tigers, evidence that cubs survive into adulthood, reliable estimates of survival and recruitment, and documented reductions in habitat loss and snaring. The Leuser survey supplies an encouraging piece of that picture, but not all of it.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The bottom line

Camera traps really did record an unusually large number of Sumatran tiger detections in northern Leuser: 282 clear images representing 27 identified animals, including three cub groups. The result indicates a locally healthy, breeding population supported by forest, prey, patrols and community cooperation. It is not proof that the whole island’s tiger population has tripled, and the species remains critically endangered.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from Field Notes

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.