China seeks name for South China tiger cub born in S Africa

 

www.chinaview.cn 2008-01-21 20:19:28

 

BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) — The name of the first South China tiger cub born outside of China will be chosen from a list of suggestions made by members of the public, both in China and abroad.

 

The cub, born in the Laohu Valley Reserve about 600 km south of Johannesburg on Nov. 23 last year, is the first South China tiger to be born in captivity outside of China.

 

His mother Cathay and father Tiger Woods are both undergoing training in the reserve ahead of a planned introduction to the wild.

 

People can suggest names through the website Sina.com and a shortlist will be drawn up. People overseas can submit their ideas to the website of Save China’s Tigers http://www.savechinastigers.org

 

The charity and the State Forestry Administration will select the final name and make it public at the end of February. The charity will also reward the name providers.

 

The organizers said the name should “reflect the cultural or historical status of the South China tiger”, and be less than three Chinese characters.

 

Since 2003, four tigers have undergone “rewilding” training at Laohu Valley Reserve.

China is also carrying out preparatory work to establish a pilot reserve for the eventual return of these tigers.

 

However, experts from the State Forestry Administration have admitted a shortage of land and money has disrupted preparations.