south china tiger

The South China Tiger, also known as the 'Chinese' or 'Amoy' tiger, is a tiger subspecies facing extinction. Originating in China two million years ago, today's South China tiger represents a relict population of the ancestral tiger, from which all other subspecies, such as Bengal and Siberian tigers, derive. Unfortunately, there are few, if any, left in the wild, with the last confirmed sighting over two decades ago. Approximately 100 individuals are in captivity, mainly in Chinese zoos and breeding centers, with Save China's Tigers at Laohu Valley Reserve caring for the remainder. In the 1950s, the South China tiger numbered over 4,000, but large-scale government 'anti-pest' campaigns and habitat loss led to a drastic decline. By 1987, the remnant wild population dwindled to 30-40 individuals, and the danger of extinction became imminent. Conservation efforts are crucial to safeguard the remaining population and reintroduce this unique subspecies to its native habitat.