Longyan South China Tiger Wilderness Training Achieves Major Breakthrough: Mother Tiger 'Weiwei' Successfully Predates Live Sheep
On July 2, 2025, the Meihuashan South China Tiger Breeding and Research Institute in Longyan, Fujian Province, received exciting news — the female tiger "Weiwei" successfully hunted a live sheep at 6:25 a.m. This was her first successful hunt since being placed in the wildness training base, signifying a major breakthrough in the wildness training of South China tigers.
In the early hours of that day, the wildness training base of the Meihuashan South China Tiger Breeding and Research Institute was shrouded in tranquility. However, for the staff, this was a tense and expectant moment. The monitoring screen firmly caught their attention because the female tiger "Weiwei" was about to embark on a crucial survival challenge — hunting a live sheep.
At 6 a.m., as the first light of dawn appeared in the base, "Weiwei" patrolled quietly within her territory. Her eyes were focused and alert, and her muscles were tensed, as if she had already detected the presence of prey. Through the surveillance video, the staff watched every move of this South China Tiger with bated breath, knowing that this moment might become a key milestone in the wildness development journey of South China tigers.
At 6:25 a.m., a sheep's cry broke the morning silence. "Weiwei" quickly locked onto the target, crouched low, and approached the prey silently. Suddenly, she darted out like an arrow off the string, pouncing on the live sheep with astonishing speed and strength. After a short and intense struggle, "Weiwei" successfully brought the sheep down and began to feed. The monitoring room instantly erupted in cheers, and the staff's faces were filled with uncontrollable joy and excitement. This scene meant that their efforts and dedication had finally paid off, and the wildness training of South China tigers had taken a solid step forward.
The South China Tiger, a rare species unique to China, is currently on the brink of extinction. According to statistics, the number of surviving South China Tigers worldwide is only about 100, and most of them live in captive environments. In the wild, due to the loss of habitats, over-hunting, and damage to the ecosystem, the survival of South China Tigers is facing unprecedented difficulties.
To save this endangered species, the Meihuashan South China Tiger Breeding and Research Institute in Longyan, Fujian Province, has been committed to the protection and breeding of South China Tigers since its establishment. However, captive breeding alone cannot ensure the long-term survival of the South China Tiger population. Wildness training has become a key link in helping South China Tigers return to nature and rebuild wild populations. Through wildness training, South China Tigers are equipped with the ability to survive independently and hunt in the wild, enabling them to adapt to the wild environment and maintain the reproduction and development of the population.
For the smooth implementation of this wildness training, the staff of the research institute made long-term and meticulous preparations. Firstly, they carefully selected the female tiger "Weiwei" as the target for wildness training. After evaluating her physical condition, behavioral characteristics, and adaptability, they believed that "Weiwei" had strong potential for wildness development.
In terms of the construction of the training base, the staff simulated the wild ecological environment and built a closed wildness training site covering an area of approximately 50 mu (about 3.33 hectares). The site is equipped with various natural landforms such as mountains, forests, grasslands, and streams, and is planted with abundant vegetation, providing "Weiwei" with a living environment similar to that in the wild. At the same time, an appropriate number of live prey, such as wild boars, rabbits, and goats, were released to train her hunting ability.
During the training process, the staff adopted a step-by-step approach. Initially, they let "Weiwei" adapt to the environment of the training site, gradually increasing her familiarity with the surrounding environment and her desire to explore. Subsequently, they began to release some relatively slow-moving prey to allow "Weiwei" to practice hunting skills. As the training progressed, the flexibility and escape ability of the prey were gradually enhanced to increase the difficulty and challenge of hunting for "Weiwei".
In addition, the research institute also established a professional team of veterinarians and a scientific research team to conduct full-process monitoring and evaluation of "Weiwei's" physical condition and behavioral changes. The veterinary team conducts regular physical examinations for her to ensure her health; the scientific research team observes and records "Weiwei's" behavioral data, analyzes the progress and effects of her wildness training, and provides a scientific basis for the adjustment of the training plan.
The successful hunt of a live sheep by "Weiwei" is of great and far-reaching significance for the protection of South China Tigers. Firstly, it proves that captive-bred South China Tigers can potentially regain their wild instincts and hunting abilities through systematic wildness training. This provides practical evidence and confidence for the return of South China Tigers to the wild, allowing conservationists to see the hope for the revival of the South China Tiger population.
Secondly, "Weiwei's" successful hunt has accumulated valuable experience for the wildness training of South China Tigers. By conducting in-depth research and analysis of the process and results of this training, the staff can summarize a more scientific and effective method and model for wildness training, which provides a reference for the wildness training of other South China Tigers in the future. This will help improve the success rate of wildness training for South China Tigers and accelerate the pace of their return to nature.
At the same time, this achievement has also attracted great attention from all sectors of society to the protection of South China Tigers. As a rare species unique to China, the protection of South China Tigers has always attracted much attention. After the news of "Weiwei's" successful hunt spread, the media reported it one after another, and the public's awareness of the protection of South China Tigers has been further enhanced. This will encourage more social forces to participate in the cause of South China Tiger protection, providing more financial, technical, and human support for the protection of South China Tigers.
Although "Weiwei's" successful hunt of a live sheep is an exciting achievement, the protection of South China Tigers still has a long way to go. The wildness training of South China Tigers is a long and complex process that requires overcoming many difficulties and challenges. In addition to the training of hunting ability, it is also necessary to further train the South China Tigers' survival skills in the wild, such as avoiding natural enemies, finding water sources, and adapting to climate changes.
In addition, the restoration and protection of the wild habitats of South China Tigers is also a crucial task. Only by providing sufficiently broad and suitable living space for South China Tigers can they truly achieve the sustainable development of the population. Therefore, relevant departments need to strengthen the construction and management of nature reserves, increase the crackdown on behaviors that damage habitats, and actively carry out ecological restoration work to improve the quality and connectivity of habitats.
In the future, the Meihuashan South China Tiger Breeding and Research Institute in Longyan, Fujian Province, will continue to uphold a scientific and rigorous attitude and solidly promote the protection and wildness training of South China Tigers. They plan to gradually expand the scale of wildness training, increase the number of South China Tigers participating in the training, and continuously improve the difficulty and standards of training. At the same time, they will strengthen cooperation and exchanges with domestic and foreign scientific research institutions and conservation organizations, introduce advanced technologies and concepts, and jointly promote the development of the cause of South China Tiger protection.
Although the wildness journey of South China Tigers is full of hardships, "Weiwei's" successful hunt has lit a beacon for us to move forward. With the joint efforts of the whole society, we look forward to the day when South China Tigers can return to the mountains and forests as soon as possible, regaining their glory as the "King of the Mountains". We hope that this precious species will shine again on the stage of nature, writing a brilliant chapter in the protection of biodiversity in China and even the world.
