Historically, however, the South China tiger likely faced the same predators as other tiger subspecies, including:
* Larger Carnivores: While tigers are apex predators, they could still be preyed upon by larger animals like leopards, bears, and occasionally even other tigers.
* Humans: As humans have expanded their footprint and encroached upon tiger habitats, they have become a significant threat through hunting, habitat destruction, and human-wildlife conflict.
It's important to note that even though there are no wild South China tigers left, captive populations remain. However, they face challenges due to genetic bottlenecking and a lack of suitable habitat for reintroduction.