Save China's Tigers - The Tigers Involved

The Tigers Involved

Li Quan persuaded the Chinese government to allow her to bring several captive South China tigers to Africa, where they can start their rewilding training. To date, five South China tigers have left the zoos of China and been sent to South Africa for re-wilding training. These tigers include:

1. Hope, born on 17 February 2003, got his name from readers of the Sunday People, a British newspaper. He died on 20 August 2005 in South Africa. His autopsy report suggested that the primary cause of death was pneumonia and heart failure. Conclusion was that the tiger was suffering from immunosuppression, supported by the presence of opportunistic bacteria that are normally only found replicating in animals that are immune compromised.
2. Cathay, The female tiger born on 21 January 2003, is named Cathay in acknowledgement of Cathay Pacific Airways that sponsored the transportation of the Chinese tigers till 2008. She is the mother of Hulooo, JenB and Coco with Tigerwoods, and Huwaa, Tang Yi and Shang Yi with 327.
3. Tigerwoods, male tiger, born on 9 March 2004. He is the father of 3 cubs with Cathay, and 2 cubs with Madonna.
4. Madonna, tigress, born on 20 April 2004. She gave birth to two cubs in April 2008 but the first was a stillborn, and the second died of heart failure a week after its birth. She gave birth to her second litter King Henry and Princess, on 18 August 2008 with Tigerwoods. On 12 October 2011, Madonna gave birth to three female cubs Vita, Yoya and Zeta, sired by 327
5. Stud Tiger 327, this stud male - registered as No. 327 in the Studbook Registry of the Zoological Association of China, does not yet have a name. His main role was to replace Hope, as a mate for Cathay. He sired 3 cubs with Cathay, and 3 cubs with Madonna He is chosen for the project because he is a healthy looking stud tiger, one of the finer tigers in Suzhou reserve. On 17 September 2011, 327 broke through an electrified fence which separates him from Tigerwoods. SCT staffs managed the separate the two animals within five minutes of skirmish, but 327 was already fatally wounded. Veterinarian has confirmed its death to be due to throat injuries.

The breeding program has successfully produced several tiger cubs, including:

1. Huloo, a male offspring of Tigerwoods and Cathay was born on 23 November 2007, was the first cub to be born through the project. He was separated from his mother at birth because of fears that he would die of exposure, and was hand reared at Lory Park Zoo until he was old enough to return to Laohu Valley.
2. JenB, born on 30 March 2008, is a male offspring of Tigerwoods and Cathay, was named after the late Jenifer Bone, of Sydney, Australia, to commemorate her donations to Save China's Tigers.
3. Coco, brother and littermate of JenB, was named using a naming contest sponsored by the Asian Tigers group.
4. King Henry, born on 18 August 2008, the offspring of Tigerwoods and Madonna. King Henry was named in Honour of King Henry VIII Preparatory School’s Fundraising efforts for Save China's Tigers.
5. Princess, sister and littermate of King Henry, is the first female born through the Save China's Tigers program. Her survival will be vital for the breeding of future generations of rewilded South China Tigers in South Africa.
6. Huwaa, a female cub born to Cathay and 327, was born on 31 January 2011.
7. Tang Yi, a male cub born to Cathay and 327 on 20 July 2011. Littermate of Shang Yi.
8. Shang Yi, a male cub born to Cathay and 327 on 20 July 2011. Littermate of Tang Yi.
9. Vita, a female cub born to Madonna and 327 on 12 2011. Littermate of Yoya and Zeta.
10. Yoya, a female cub born to Madonna and 327 on 12 2011. Littermate of Vita and Zeta.
11. Zeta, a female cub born to Madonna and 327 on 12 2011. Littermate of Vita and Yoya

With the birth of these cubs, 14 South China Tigers are in the care of Save China's Tigers - more than 15% of the world population of the world’s most critically endangered tiger.