Captive tiger breeding improves genetic quality

HARBIN - Chinese researchers are using artificial breeding with captive-bred Siberian tigers to improve their genetic quality.

There are about 1,000 Siberian tigers at the China Hengdaohezi Feline Breeding Center, the world's largest for tigers in captivity, in Hailin, Heilongjiang province. Researchers aim for about 100 newborn cubs every year.

"Not all adult Siberian tigers are fit to reproduce. If we do not control reproduction, the quality of the offspring will be affected," said Liu Dan, chief engineer at the center's Siberian Tiger Park. Researchers conduct DNA tests to select parents and prevent inbreeding, he said.