Kuala Lumpur, October 23 Reports indicate that there are only 500 Sumatran tigers left living in the forests of Sumatra, Indonesia.

According to a report in the Star Online, the declining population may have been caused by the rare animal being hunted, trapped or chased away due to the opening of plantations by villagers.

"There are now only 500 of them left, and the number is constantly declining," said Rusman, head of the Gunung Lauser National Park, Area I.

"The hunting had actually declined, but the opening of plantations is still posing a serious threat to the Sumatran tiger," he added.

Since their hunting grounds have become limited, the tigers enter plantations and residential areas looking for food.

"Their declining habitat often triggered conflicts between the tigers and the local population near the forests," said Rusman. (ANI)