Cathay Pacific to send Chinese tiger cubs to South Africa

Cathay Pacific Airways Thursday announced it is to transport a second pair of endangered Chinese Tigers from China to South Africa in support of the "Save China's Tigers" conservation program.

The cubs, seven-month-old tiger Woods and six-month-old Madonna, were born in Shanghai Zoo. They were named in a competition judged by Save China's Tigers patron Michelle Yeoh and other celebrities.

The tigers will be transported to South Africa on Oct. 29 in order to be taught how to fend for themselves in the wild before being returned to their natural habitat in China.

Cathay Pacific transported the first pair of cubs, Cathay and Hope, to South Africa last year, and they are now making progress in Save China's Tigers "rewilding" program. In all, the airline hopes to transport 5 to 10 cubs.

Cathay Pacific Country Manager Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Dominic Perret said: "as the namesake of Cathay, we are proud to continue our support for Save China's Tigers work to secure such a beautiful big cat's survival. We wish them the best of luck."

Cathay Pacific has a comprehensive environmental policy that integrates business decision-making processes with environmental considerations. In addition to the Save China's Tigers program, the airline has for the past 10 years sponsored the annual Cathay

Pacific International Wilderness Experience Program in which young people from Asia to join a special ecological safari in South Africa.

Source: Xinhua