Abstract
This chapter reviews the status of captive and a wild tiger in China, describes efforts to restore wild tiger populations in China, and discusses the significant ramifications for tiger conservation throughout Asia. In Chinese philosophy, the universe consists of two opposing but complementary forces: yin and yang. Yin is symbolized by water and earth, and yang by fire and air; yin is dark, and yang is light. This concept of opposite but complementary forces can be applied as well to tiger conservation in modern China. One side is a degraded landscape devoid of wild tigers, the other is a farm bloated with captive tigers; wild tigers are poached, captive tigers are bred. China is fundamentally responsible for fueling the global trade in illegal tiger parts, yet it has an emerging, powerful political mandate to resurrect the tiger as a symbol of wilderness. A scientifically rigorous strategy designed to secure the tiger's future on a meaningful scale in southern China is urgently needed. China can continue to ignore growing global criticism of its domestic wildlife policies, and accept the damage to its international reputation, or it can take proactive measures to legitimately become Asia's tiger problem solver. The future of tigers and much of Asia's biodiversity may hinge on this decision.
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