China's wild tigers number fewer than 60

At an event to promote wild tiger protection in honor of July 29, the first "Global Tiger's Day," a Chinese official said there are only 50 to 60 wild tigers living in China, People's Daily reported.

Yan Xun, the vice director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Management of State Forestry Administration, made a speech at the launching ceremony of the "Volunteer Action to Protect Tigers" yesterday. He said the situation of the few remaining wild tigers is very dire.

He said the Chinese government has been carrying out various measures to save and protect tigers in the last 30 years, and such conservation efforts are going to be strengthened and sped up in future.

Author: Sun Xiuyan, People's Daily, July 29, translated by Wang Hanlu

http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2010-07/30/nw.D110000renmrb_20100730_6-08.htm?div=-1