Rare tiger reappears after gap of 20 years

The Penthern tiger (South China Tiger), a species unique to China, has reappeared in the wild after a gap of two decades in the Qinling Mountains of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

"We made a breakthrough after more than one year of investigation," said Zhu Julong, deputy director of Shaanxi Forestry Administration Bureau.



According to Zhu, Zhou Zhenglong, a farmer in Wencai, a village in Zhenping County, took photos of the animal on the mountain on October 3.

"After the careful examination, experts confirmed the authenticity of the photos," he said. "That means the tiger has been found again after more than 20 years."

The South China tiger was listed as one of 10 highly endangered species in 1996 by the International Natural Conservation Alliance. At present, there are only 68 such tigers living in 18 zoos in China.