The World Wide Fund for Nature has recorded images of 12 Sumatran tigers in an Indonesian forest. Being one of the most cortically endangered species in the world, conservationist are hoping the images will help raise awareness on their plight.

As the smallest of the tiger subspecies, the Sumatran tiger is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Their habitat ranges from lowland to mountainous forests.

These tigers caught on hidden camera show a mother, with her three little cubs.

Not knowing their images will be broadcast around the world, these young tigers are also unlikely to know the dire situation their species faces.

But the WWF's tiger research team in Sumatra said the number of big cats seen during the observation was impressive.

Aditya Bayunanda, forest coordinator of WWF Indonasia,said, "It is very rare that we are able to see cubs walking around with their mother. That is a good sign but my concern is the camera trap located in the forest is designated as an industrial forest estate. I am worried that those tigers will lose their habitat."

His worries are materializing, as this forest, belonging to an Indonesian paper firm, will soon be cleared to supply wood, once they get the permit from the government.

Indonesia has already lost the Bali tiger and Java tiger in the last 50 years. To turn the tide, the country has plans to sign a deal to curb greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, slowing their rapid industry expansion.

As for this tiger family, who are among the estimated 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, their future is unclear, as their habitat is being taken by farmers and factories to produce palm oil and paper.

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