Numerous reports of this tiger species have emerged in China, South Korea, and Myanmar.
One of the most mysterious creatures in China is the blue tiger, also known as the Maltese tiger. There have been many sightings of this tiger primarily in Fujian Province. A few reports of this tiger have also surfaced in South Korea.
The blue tiger is very famous but its existence has yet to be proven.
According to descriptions from various reports, this tiger has a slightly blue coat with gray-black stripes. Like other tiger species, they are also endangered due to illegal poaching over the years.
The term Maltese refers to a cat breed with blue fur. Many cats with such fur colors have appeared in Malta, and thus, it is entirely possible for a tiger to have a similar coat color.
Around 1910, an American missionary named Harry Caldwell claimed to have discovered a blue tiger in Fuzhou. His hunting expedition was documented in the book *Blue Tiger*, published in 1924.
According to descriptions in the book, the blue tiger is very beautiful. Its delicate colors include a light gray-blue underbelly and stripes that are as distinct as those of regular tigers.
One of the most recent sightings was reported by Karl Shuker, who participated in the Korean War and stated that he saw them in the mountains of the demilitarized zone. Several other reports of them have also emerged in Myanmar.
If this tiger species truly exists, it is likely that its coloration stems from genetic mutations. In small or isolated populations, inbreeding can lead to mutated individuals rather than a distinct species.
