The possibility of the existence of wild South China tigers is very small. Because the reproduction of species requires the existence of natural population, natural population must also maintain a certain number of individuals and maintain a sufficient level of heterozygosity, so that the population will not decline due to inbreeding.
Because there has been no trace of the South China tiger in the original distribution area for many years, the possibility of finding the South China tiger population is even more slim. Therefore, many experts believe that the natural population of the South China tiger has become extinct.
Extended data:
Demographic situation
Endangered history
The fifties and sixties.
According to the incomplete statistics of annual tiger skin purchase in China fur market, 1956, the whole country bought 1750 pieces of tiger skin.
Tigers were found in more than 20 counties in Jiangxi Province in 1950s, and tigers 1955- 1956 were captured in the whole province.
In the 1950s and 1960s, tigers were not found in Wanxian County in eastern Sichuan and Daba Mountain area at the junction of Shaanxi, Sichuan and Hubei.
Hunan province1952-1953 * *170 the tiger was caught.
From 65438 to 0964, according to the number of tiger bones and skins purchased by various places, Mr. Shou estimated that about 800 South China tigers were killed every year, which was obviously suspected of "releasing satellites".
1966 Anhui also caught tigers. In the early 1950s, there were more than 50 tigers hunting in Guangdong Province, while in the 1960s, there were only about 20 tigers.
The tiger was caught by 1958 in Qingzhen, central Guizhou, and 1959 in Weijing, western Guizhou. Tigers in Qinling Mountains became extinct in 1960s.
At least 60 tigers were killed in Henan province.
During the period of 1964, a mountain folk in Foping Mountain, Shaanxi Province hunted a wild South China tiger, and no one has ever seen an adult South China tiger.
From 1970s to 1990s.
After 1970, the annual hunting amount of tigers in South China in Jiangxi was insufficient, and after 10, no tigers were caught.
In the early 1970s, Henan Province caught seven tigers a year and Zhejiang Province caught three tigers a year. In 1970s, less than 10 tigers were killed in Guangdong province. The wild tiger was finally caught in 1976 Hunan.
In the late 1970s, it was estimated that the number of wild South China tigers in China was 40-80. The last tiger capture in Shanxi Province was in June 5438 +0974+10/October, and no tiger was found after receiving a pair of tiger bones in Yuanping County. From 65438 to 0979, only one tiger skin was received nationwide.
Since 1980s, the number of wild South China tigers has been very small, and it is estimated that the total number of wild South China tigers in China is 30-80. The last wild tiger caught in Hubei was 1983. 1 cub was found in Baihuwan Forest Farm of Lichuan City, and then sent to Chongqing Zoo. Hubei reporter confirmed after investigation that this is an untrue report. The cub found in Baihuwan Forest Farm is actually a clouded leopard larva.
1987 according to the statistics in May, there are 4 adult tigers and 12 cubs in Guangdong Province.
1990- 1992, in the national survey of wild South China tigers and their habitats conducted by the former Ministry of Forestry and the World Wildlife Fund, no living wild South China tigers were found. However, according to the traces and feces found, it is estimated that there are 20-30 South China tigers at the junction of Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi and Fujian. The actual number may be less.
265438+Early 20th century
From 2000 to 20001year, the State Forestry Administration and the World Wide Fund for Nature conducted a large-scale investigation on wild South China tigers and their habitats in China, but no wild tigers were found during the search. After this investigation, some foreign scholars believe that the wild South China tiger has become extinct. However, domestic scholars have not given up the hope of finding wild South China tigers.
In the winter of 2007, South China Institute of Endangered Animals carried out the project of "Field Investigation of Wild South China Tigers in Northern Guangdong", but no trace of wild South China tigers was found in the end.
In 2008, when the "Zhou Tiger" incident happened, the expert investigation team sent by the State Forestry Administration also indicated that there were no wild South China tigers in zhenping county.
Baidu Encyclopedia-South China Tiger