South China tiger cub debuts in central China zoo

World
Europe

00:46

A vivacious South China tiger cub born in central China's Henan Province has been allowed out of its incubator to meet and greet with excited zoo visitors.

The lively cub was born in the Wangcheng Park Zoo in the province's Luoyang City. It is now being raised in the open, it loves running about and playing with zoo keepers.

"The most recently born South China tiger cub is a female. It was born in the latter half of 2018, and is now about four months old. It has passed the critical period and is now able to meet visitors," said Liu Zhaoyang, deputy curator of the zoo.

Due to lack of care from its mother, the little one was put into the incubator for round-the-clock care from zoo keepers ever since it was born.

More than 50 South China tigers were born in Wangcheng Park Zoo since the zoo first bred and raised two cubs in 2009.

South China tiger. /VCG Photo

"Statistics show that from the end of 2017 to November 2018, a total of 22 South China tigers were born in China. Our Luoyang Wangcheng Park Zoo has bred 10, accounting for almost half of the total number," said the deputy curator.

Indigenous to China, South China tigers used to live across the country. However, its wild population sharply shrunk in the 1950s due to the loss of habitat. Currently more than 100 South China tigers are alive, dwelling in zoos or breeding facilities.

Walking South China tigers.‍ /VCG Photo