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South China Tiger
Possibly extinct in the wild?
Common Name: South China tiger, Amoy tiger, Xiamen tiger; Tigre (Fr); Tigre (Sp)
Scientific Name: Panthera tigris amoyensis
Location: China
Population: Perhaps a few individuals
Background
Thought to be the ancestor of all tigers, the South China subspecies was estimated to number 4,000 in the early 1950s. But following decades of extermination as a pest, the subspecies has now not been sighted in the wild for more than 25 years, and is believed by many scientists to be “functionally extinct”. A few individuals may remain, but hope for their survival is slim as there is neither adequate habitat nor prey left.
Physical Description
Colour
The upper part of the animal ranges from reddish orange to ochre, and the under parts are whitish. The body has a series of black striations of black to dark grey colour.
Habitat
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range States
China
Geographical Location
China
Ecological Region
Southeast China-Hainan Moist Forests
Danger Watch
A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More
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Extinct
No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
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Extinct in the Wild
Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population.
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Critically Endangered
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Endangered
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Vulnerable
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Near Threatened
Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
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Least Concern
Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endagnered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened
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