Facts about critically endangered South China tiger

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The South China tiger, also known as the Chinese tiger, hasn't been seen in the wild for decades. These beautiful felines are now found only in captivity in China and South Africa.

Here are some important facts about this endangered tiger:

A South China tiger at Wangcheng Park in Luoyang City, China. /VCG Photo

1. Weighing between 100kg and 195kg, the South China tiger is one of the smallest tiger species. Their small body size makes it easier for them to move through forests.

2. They are born as the hunters in the forest. They feed on deer, cattle and other large mammals. In terms of attacking directly, tigers will hide, wait until the perfect chance to kill, and then bite through the neck of the prey fast and fiercely.

South China tigers. /VCG Photo

3. South China tigers are good at swimming; they can even hunt in water.

4. Their beautiful black strips on yellowish fur are thicker and narrower than other tigers. Each tiger has a unique pattern. They are all different.

A South China tiger at a zoo. /VCG Photo

5. Tiger cubs are blind at birth. They also weigh very little, around 1kg.

6. The males are bigger than the females. After a gestation period of 103 days, the mother tiger usually delivers two or three cubs, but sometimes a female tiger can produce up to seven cubs.

South China tiger cubs. /VCG Photo

7. There used to be thousands of South China tigers roaming wild in China. But due to poaching, loss of habitat and human-tiger conflicts, now we can only see South China tigers at zoos or conservation centers.

A South China tiger. /VCG Photo

8. The South China tiger is one of the top ten endangered animals in China and is under first-class state protection. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) evaluates it as "critically endangered."

9. Many Chinese zoos including Shanghai Zoo and Wangcheng Park in Luoyang city in China's Henan Province breed South China tigers.

A South China tiger playing with a stick. /VCG Photo

10. Luoyang city is now home to 38 South China tigers, the largest population in China.

(Top images via VCG)

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