Rare tigers born in China

EIGHTY-FOUR Siberian tigers, among the world’s rarest animals, have been born since March at a northeastern China breeding centre, an official said yesterday.

Liu Dan, who works for the Hengdaohezi Feline Breeding Centre in the suburbs of Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province, was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying the cubs were doing well.

He said 13 more pregnant Siberian tigers were expected to give birth to a total of 20 to 30 cubs by October.

Fewer than 400 Siberian tigers — also known as the Amur, Manchurian or Ussuri tiger — are believed to survive in the wild, about 20 in China and the rest in Russia.

They are the largest tiger species, weighing up to 272kg.

Human settlements have encroached on the cats’ habitat. They are also in danger from poachers who want hides and bones for traditional Chinese medicine.

Mr Liu said the centre plans to train some cubs for life in the wild and release them in the future.