Tracks of a wild Siberian tiger has been found by a forest ranger in northeast China, suggesting expansion of the population and range of one of the world's most endangered species, authorities said today.
On Thursday morning, ranger Chi Fenglin found some footprints at Tianqiaoling Forestry Bureau in Wangqing County.
They were later identified as those of an immature male Siberian tiger.
This is the fifth time traces of wild Siberian tigers have been found in the bureau's forests since March of 2015.
Deer and wild boar are on the rise in the forest, providing enough food for more tigers, Cao Yongfu, director of the bureau was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency.
Jilin banned commercial logging in key state-owned tree farms last year, which has improved tiger habitat.
The tiger is expanding its range from a narrow area along the Russian border to the western part of the Changbai Mountain, according to Cao.
Siberian tigers are among the world's most endangered species.
They mostly live in eastern Russia, northeast China and northern parts of the Korean Peninsula.
