It has a yellowish fur with narrower and longer stripes than those of the Bengal tiger. Although the South China tiger is one of the smallest subspecies of tiger in the world, it is larger than the Sumatran tiger, so in strict terms, it is the smallest subspecies of continental Asia. Tigers are still being hunted for their fur and other parts of their bodies that are used in traditional medicine. In … Located in Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province, the zoo is now home to the largest population of South China tigers in China, with 38 in total. Their numbers reached an … Log in, Why Is The Rusty Patch Bumble Bee Important? 9. 4. It is the principal threat to tigers in the wild. The South China tiger originated in China two million years ago and today's South China tiger is considered a relict population of the "stem" ancestral tiger from which all other subspecies of tiger (Bengal, Siberian, etc) are derived. ... breeding industry in China. Today, they are a critically endangered species with the total of all the wild populations of the five remaining subspecies (Bengal tigers, IndoChinese tigers, Siberian tigers, South China tigers, and Sumatran tigers) an estimated 4,600 and 7,700 tigers. Because these Tigers are at the top of their natural food chain, they don't have any natural predators because… It has sexual dimorphism, so the males are bigger than the females: the former measure between 91 and 104 inches in length, and weigh 287 to 386 pounds an… Weighing between 100kg and 195kg, the South China tiger is one of the smallest tiger species. Human activities, such as poaching and habitat destruction, are the main reasons why some species of tigers have declined over the years. They are critically endangered in the IUCN Red List. Many Chinese zoos including Shanghai Zoo and Wangcheng Park in Luoyang city in China's Henan Province breed South China tigers. This led to a rise in the hunting of wild tigers until 1997 when it became illegal to hunt these animals. We need to help them now before they become extinct to all! Tigers in Crisis; Problems Tigers Face. 8. Our mission is to restore, reintroduce and protect a genetically viable population of South China tigers and its biodiverse ecosystem. The ICUN even classifies it as possibly extinct in the wild. Tigers can swim and seem to like the water. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the population of the tiger in the wild was estimated at 4,000 individuals. Because of its enormous territorial range, the tiger is particularly sensitive to territorial fragmentation. First, the population has been disrupted by habitat loss from logging and agriculture. We don’t want to have a repeat of the dodo birds! With the South China Tiger numbers dwindling, other species are becoming overpopulated, causing an imbalance. 5. But due to poaching, loss of habitat and human-tiger conflicts, now we can only see South China tigers at zoos or conservation centers. What began as an effort to save the species from the brink of extinction evolved into a "rewilding" training project, the goal of which is to release the big cats back into their natural habitat. It is estimated the wild population of Siberian tigers at around 350-450 tigers. The population mainly inhabited the Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan and Jiangxi provinces.   Why is the South China Tiger Endangered At one time, these beautiful creatures were considered a pest by the Chinese government. The South China Tiger is the most endangered of all the tigers. It is not only a dead specimen but sometimes mothers with offspring that still need maternal care. 2. They feed on deer, cattle and other large mammals. Besides the South China tigers, there are other rare animals including the Siberian tiger, black bear, brown bear, and red-crowned crane. The IUCN believes this tiger is possibly extinct. Tigers usually get closer to their prey on lighter steps inasmuch as they possibly can. In fact, it is one of the worlds most critically endangered species overall. South China tigers are good at swimming; they can even hunt in water. Tigers are on … The South China tiger is endangered for several reasons. 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. These beautiful felines are now found only in captivity in China and South Africa. Thanks for tuning in and I hope to see you on the next one! Beijing ICP prepared NO.16065310-3, Facts about critically endangered South China tiger. The tiger is the largest cat in the world. https://www.knowledgeinflux.info/2019/06/a-giant-tortoise-believed-to-be-extinct.html, 5 Endangered Species Your Children Should Learn About - The Homeschool Scientist. Tiger Overview; The Tigers. There are 6 subspecies of tiger thought to still be living. Each tiger has a unique pattern. Poaching is a large reason why tiger numbers have diminished. There are about 400 Sumatran Tigers, 500 Siberian Tigers, 2,500 Bengal Tigers, 20 South China Tigers, 340 Malayan Tigers, 1,500 Indo-Chinese tigers, and 400 Sumatran tigers left. The South China tiger is labeled “Critically Endangered” and scientists believe the animal to be “functionally extinct.” This means South China tigers play a meager role in their society.