South China Tiger Winking Out - Maybe 30 Remain In Wild - Xinhua

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BEIJING − "South China tigers, among the rarest of the five remaining tiger subspecies, are on the verge of extinction in the wild with less than 30 remaining, Xinhua news agency said on Friday, citing a recent survey.

Scientists from the State Forestry Administration of China and the World Nature Fund conducted the study of the wild tigers, most of which are scattered on mountains along the borders of Jiangxi, Hunan and Guangdong provinces in south China, Xinhua said. The survey's findings were released at a symposium on South China tigers held in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province.

Xinhua said China had 66 South China tigers raised in 19 zoos but the animals are all offspring of six wild tigers seized in 1956. The South China tiger, also known as the Chinese tiger, is native to southern China and used to be found in mountain forests in the country's south, east, centre and southwest.

But war, hunting and environmental deterioration over the past century has pushed the species to the verge of extinction and it is listed on the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Red List of endangered species. International experts predict tigers will disappear by 2010 if they are not protected, Xinhua said. To help save the big cats, China would send five to 10 South China tigers to South Africa to help re-acquaint them with the ways of the wild.

The Chinese tigers and their offspring would be returned to China in time for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Xinhua said."

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ED. - Then, their Olympic PR purpose accomplished, they could then be shot and their bones ground up for Chinese traditional medicine. Proceeds from this and from the sale of their pelts can be sold to help pay for a new pilot program.

It would set aside 20 acres in southern China for a tiger preserve which would feature animatronic tigers, realistically stuffed specimens and an exciting virtual reality tour which would be just as exciting as the real thing, but without those annoying insect bites or blisters from too much hiking.

Disney, GM and Ford spokespersons said that they were "excited" by the concept, and looked forward to working with Chinese experts to produce "the most authentic simulated tiger experience imaginable."

The facility would also feature solar panels to supply up to 10% of
its daily electricity needs.