Jackie Chan supported an effort to bring back the South China tiger from the edge of extinction; none has been confirmed in the wild for decades

Jackie Chan, a well-known actor and martial artist, has been advocating for the conservation of one of the world's rarest big cats, the South China tiger. This elusive species has not been sighted in the wild for decades, despite extensive searches. A survey conducted in 2001 and 2002 failed to find any evidence of wild South China tigers in the reserves they examined.

The reserves were small, averaging around 100 square kilometers, and were often filled with tree farms and human settlements. Despite these challenges, Chan has become an ambassador for Save China's Tigers, a charity founded in 2000 by Li Quan. The group has undertaken various initiatives to raise awareness and build a sustainable population of South China tigers, starting with breeding them in captivity.

One such initiative involved fitting 12 captive-born tigers with GPS collars to test their hunting abilities. The study, published in Biological Conservation, found that all but one of the tigers successfully hunted their prey, blesbok, an antelope species native to South Africa. However, the success rates varied significantly among the tigers.

The findings suggest that captive-born tigers can hunt free-ranging prey well enough to meet their energy needs, which is a positive sign for rewilding efforts. Nevertheless, it's crucial to note that the reintroduction of tigers into their historical habitats is a complex process that requires addressing various challenges, such as prey availability and habitat fragmentation.

As Jackie Chan's efforts demonstrate, the conservation of a species can be a daunting task, but it's an essential one to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures.