In reality, this is an ambitious transnational project aimed at restoring the wild nature of the South China Tiger, a species at risk of extinction.
Since 2003, this transnational rebuilding project has been quietly underway. Five South China Tigers, consisting of two males and three females, have been bred and kept in an artificial environment and were transported to the African savannah. They have been given special names: Cathay, Hope, Tiger Woods, Madonna, and one individual designated as “327.“
After a series of health checks and behavioral assessments, these five South China Tigers set foot in South Africa. During this long journey, they were placed in spacious and sturdy transport cages, with precise control of temperature and humidity to minimize stress during travel.
Since 2003, South China Tigers have been brought to the African savannah.
Upon arrival in South Africa, the South China Tigers (initially, only Cathay and Hope were transported) were placed in a specialized acclimatization area – an environment designed to simulate an expansive controlled grassland ecosystem, providing them with a smooth transition space before being released into the wild. In this new environment, the South China Tigers faced unprecedented challenges.
Having been raised by humans since birth, their survival skills in the wild were nearly lost. To awaken their hunting instincts, the trainers carefully designed a series of training programs to trigger their wild instincts.
In the initial training phase, dead chickens were hung on ropes to simulate the movement of prey. However, the South China Tigers appeared confused and merely observed with curiosity. Therefore, the trainers changed strategies, applying chicken on grass and small trees to guide them to “accidentally” discover these food pieces during exploration. After several weeks of effort and adaptation, the two tigers started to exhibit more aggressive behaviors.
This project aims to restore the wild nature of the South China Tiger.
As training progressed, live small animals like rabbits were introduced into the training ground. Although the South China Tigers were initially confused by the moving prey, Cathay and Hope soon displayed their hunting skills, hiding, sprinting, and successfully catching these small animals.
In 2004, after more than a year of careful training, wild antelopes were introduced into the habitat of the South China Tigers. Initially, the agility and alertness of the antelopes caught the tigers off guard. However, after numerous observations and attempts, Cathay and Hope gradually mastered the skills of using speed and strength to catch prey. Ultimately, on a sunny afternoon, Cathay successfully hunted a wild African antelope, marking a significant breakthrough in their ability to return to the wild.
However, the path to rehabilitation was not easy. In 2005, male tiger Hope unfortunately passed away from cardiac arrest and pneumonia, which dealt a heavy blow to the entire project. To compensate for this loss and enhance the genetic diversity of the population, Save China’s Tigers promptly sent three additional South China Tigers to South Africa.
After arriving in South Africa, Madonna, Tiger Woods, and “327” demonstrated excellent adaptability and hunting abilities after a short acclimatization period. In the temporary adaptation area, they quickly adjusted to the new environment and received additional training in the wild.
In 2007, the first generation of South China Tigers in Africa was born.
On November 23, 2007, in a remote cave within the reserve, Cathay and Tiger Woods welcomed their first litter. This was the first generation of South China Tiger offspring on African soil, marking an important milestone for the entire rewilding project.
Over time, the number of South China Tigers in South Africa increased. In 2013, the third generation of South China Tigers was born on the South African savannah, marking a significant advancement in the rewilding project. At that time, the population of South China Tigers in South Africa rose to 15, accounting for nearly 15% of the remaining South China Tigers in the world. This increase not only highlights the success of the project but also emphasizes the vital role of transnational cooperation in wildlife conservation.
As the population grew, the social structure of the South China Tigers became increasingly stable. The cubs learned hunting and territory protection techniques under the guidance of mature tigers, and these activities were often carried out in various corners of the reserve. Researchers and caretakers closely monitored these interactions, documenting the development of the South China Tigers from cubs to adulthood. Each successful hunt or territorial dispute was analyzed to ensure that each tiger acquires the necessary survival skills during the rewilding process.
Their natural adaptability remains a significant challenge.
However, even as the South China Tigers successfully reproduced on the South African savannah, the project faced numerous challenges. Among these, human intervention and health issues arising from high inbreeding were particularly prominent. Due to the limitations of the original gene pool, inbreeding directly affected the survival rates of tiger cubs in subsequent generations and the overall health of the population.
Moreover, although the South China Tigers have survived in the wild for many years, their natural adaptability remains a significant challenge. Even though the tigers born and raised in this environment underwent a rigorous rewilding training process, their survival skills still lagged behind those of completely wild tigers in nature.
