China breeding center sees Siberian tiger baby boom
2017-04-25 12:55 GMT+81058km to Beijing
EditorXie Zhenqi
More than 50 tiger cubs have been born at the world's largest breeding center for Siberian tigers in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province so far this year.
"The cubs are in good health and are living in the two Siberian tiger parks under the Heilongjiang Hengdao Hezi Cat Family Breeding Center," said Liu Dan, chief engineer of one of the parks.
According to Liu, breeders prepare fresh goat's milk and egg yolks for the cubs. When they grow older, breeders will feed them chopped meat.
A member of staff at the breeding center feeds Siberian tiger cubs with milk. / Xinhua Photo
A member of staff at the breeding center feeds Siberian tiger cubs with milk. / Xinhua Photo
The mating season for Siberian tigers usually falls between April and June.
"More than 100 Siberian tiger cubs are expected to be born in 2017," Liu said.
Siberian tigers are one of the world's most endangered species. They predominantly live in eastern Russia, with a small wild population in northeast China. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, there are 540 left in the wild.
Staff at the Breeding Center tests a cub's body temperature. / Xinhua Photo
China has been trying to save the species through captive breeding programs. The Heilongjiang breeding center is currently home to more than 1,000 Siberian tigers.