Zoologists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences are preparing an expedition to determine the possible existence of the "extinct" wild South China tiger in northwestern China.

The scientists would try to pinpoint number of tigers inhabiting in Zhenping County, Shaanxi Province, and their living conditions, State Forestry Administration (SFA) spokesman Cao Qingrao said on Thursday.

A farmer in Chengguan Township of the county claimed that he took dozens of digital pictures of a South China tiger last month. The Shaanxi Provincial Forestry Department staged a press conference to release the pictures amid much public skepticism although local authorities confirmed their authenticity.

The US-based Science magazine is reported to be publishing one of the pictures on Nov. 9.

"One single tiger does not necessarily translate into the existence of a group, and whether the photos are true or not does not illustrate the current situation of wild South China tigers," said Cao.

The South China tiger, an endangered tiger subspecies believed to have been extinct in the wild for more than 30 years, is listed as one of the world's ten most endangered animals.

From 1999 to 2001, the SFA organized field surveys of wild South China tigers throughout the country. They detected 48 traces of their possible existence in Guangdong, Fujian, Chongqing, Hunan, Jiangxi and Shaanxi. Zhenping County, which was one of the major habitats of the tiger, was also surveyed.

Results of the surveys have not been released, as no accurate situation was obtained, according to the SFA.

Cao said the administration had established six nature reserves for wild South China tigers in Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi and Chongqing.

The administration believed that if South China tigers were living in wild, the number would not exceed 30. South China tigers in captivity only number 60 at present.

Cao said it was up to authoritative departments to judge whether the tiger picture was genuine.

Prior to the release, the provincial forestry authority of Shaanxi had the pictures verified by local experts, he added. If anyone doubted their authenticity, they could appeal for administrative reconsideration. "The State Forestry Administration has not received such an application," Cao said.

As the South China tiger was a solitary animal, it was difficult to spot evidence of them, Cao said. It was impossible to sweep a mountain to search for evidence as this would affect its habitat.

Cao expressed his disapproval of offering a reward for taking pictures of wild South China tigers. "It would disturb the tiger's life and it would be dangerous to humans," Cao said.

The Shaanxi Provincial Forestry Department has banned all hunting around the mountain where the wild South China tiger was claimed to be have been spotted, and ordered checkpoints at the main entrances to the mountain area to prevent uncontrolled entry to protect the endangered tiger and its habitat.

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2007)