2. Poaching and Illegal Trade: Poaching remains a severe threat to South China tigers. Tigers are hunted for their fur, bones, and other body parts, which are illegally traded in black markets for medicinal purposes or as luxury items. The demand for tiger products, particularly in some Asian countries, drives the poaching activities despite strict laws and conservation efforts.
3. Human-Wildlife Conflict: As tiger habitats shrink, they often come into closer contact with human settlements. This can lead to conflicts, such as tigers preying on livestock or entering villages in search of food. This can result in retaliatory killings or the deliberate poisoning of tigers by humans, further endangering the species.
4. Inbreeding and Genetic Issues: The South China tiger population is critically endangered, with only around 100 individuals estimated to remain in the wild. This small population size increases the risk of inbreeding and genetic diversity loss, which can lead to health issues, reduced reproductive success, and an overall decrease in the species' resilience.
5. Climate Change: The impacts of climate change further compound the challenges faced by South China tigers. Changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and altered ecosystems can affect the tiger's prey availability, habitat suitability, and overall survival chances.
The combined impact of these factors has pushed South China tigers to the brink of extinction, making conservation efforts crucial to save this iconic species from disappearance.