Rare tiger cub provides new hope for endangered species

There are only 30 tigers left in the wild and 60 in captivity so his birth is an important step in ensuring the survival of the endangered cats.

The cub was born in the Free State province of South Africa, where his parents, Cathay and Tiger Woods, are undergoing "rewilding" training on a special reserve. The cub is their first offspring.

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The 'Save China's Tigers' project aims to build a stock of tigers in South Africa that can eventually be reintroduced into the wild in China.

Keepers said the cub, who weighed 1.2kilos at birth is "healthy and strong".

After a 12-hour ordeal, Cathay displayed her motherly instincts by cleaning and licking her cub. The cub was removed shortly afterwards due to the cold weather and is being hand-reared. Plans have been made to reintroduce the cub back to his four and a half years old mother at a suitable time.

Ms Li Quan, founder of Save China's Tigers, said: "It is truly a historic event, because it is the first time that a South China Tiger has been born outside of China.

"The rewilding programme of these highly endangered South China Tigers has taken a major step forward with the birth of this cub" Ms Quan added.

"The tigers brought to South Africa from China have now not only proven they can hunt and fend for themselves, they have also proven that cubs can be bred in a natural environment.

"This event has given new impetus to the project," she concluded.

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Since 2003, four tigers have undergone rewilding training at Laohu Valley Reserve, 600km from Johannesburg in South Africa. They have learnt to cope with the elements and to catch a variety of prey.

China is also doing preparation work to establish a Pilot reserve for the eventual return of these rewilded tigers.