CHINESE NEW YEAR: Wildlife Charity says tiger conservation has been hit by demand for the trade in animal parts

Published: 19 February 2010
by AMAH ROSE-ABRAMS

A TIGER charity launched 10 years ago at London’s Chinese Embassy, is celebrating the animals’ year in the spotlight by announcing an increase in numbers of the seriously endangered South China Tigers.

Save China’s Tigers, set up by Beijing-born Ms Li Quan, initially took five tigers from China to South Africa in an attempt to boost numbers. 

Happily, they now not only have nine tigers in South Africa, but five of them can fend for themselves and are ready for “re-wilding”, or releasing into the wild.

Save China’s Tigers have launched an awareness campaign, The Last South China Tiger, for which New Orleans body artist Craig Tracy has created a wonderful bespoke piece. And taking to the streets of Hong Kong is a “Tiger Tram”, a double-decker tram emblazoned with images to promote the cause. 

Some in the world of conservation believe that the reintroduction of the South China Tiger into the wild is currently totally inappropriate without first improving their habitat. But Li Quan said: “The tiger deserves its day of celebration. Its images have been widely used and exploited yet it is on the brink of extinction. 

“The cultural symbol of China, the Chinese Tiger is now the most endangered tiger in the world, with less than 30 in the wild. We need the international community to come to its rescue.”

Sarah Christie, a tiger expert at London Zoo, said: “It’s great to see attention being brought to the plight of China’s tigers. 

“The key issue with tiger conservation in China is the demand for tiger parts. 

“It would be great to see more attention and money being directed at this.”

Although the South China Tiger is thought to extinct in the wild, the drawing of attention to their dwindling population in China may prompt action on preservation of their natural habitat as only when this is addressed can these great beasts be introduced back into the wild.

• Donations to Save China’s Tigers can be made at www.savechinastigers.org.