There exists several instances where Sumatran tigers have attacked man. On average, at least four people were killed per year across the island of Sumatra between 1978 and 1997, and further investigations showed that the highest numbers of attacks took place in areas that were moderately disturbed and which had high probabilities of overlap between tiger and man. Several cases have been made against tigers approaching human settlements and killing livestock. The hunting of Sumatran tigers much of the time, is a response to these experiences. Sumatrans retaliate to these attacks and threats to their livelihood by setting traps and in other instances, simply shooting tigers that get within shooting range.

Even more pertinent is the issue of poaching. Tiger parts are considered of very high value in other parts of the world. Much of the driving forces behind this lubricant trade industry is derived from ancient Chinese traditions, which includes beliefs that several tiger parts have high medicinal value and can cure illnesses such as epilepsy, skin diseases, toothaches and convulsions. These revered tiger parts include the tiger bone, of which Sumatra is an active supplier. Offcial data indicates that Indonesia supplied a majority of the imported tiger bones into South Korea between the years of 1970 and 1993. Evidence also suggests that there exists a black market for tiger parts within Sumatra itself. According to a TRAFFIC report, it was found that tiger products were sold in 17 of 24 surveyed Sumatran towns, despite governmental regulations against the sale of tiger parts. The issue of poaching is a difficult one to resolve, simply because there is much profit to be made- due to the limited number of suppliers in the trade, suppliers have the freedom to quote high prices for tiger parts.