Animals at Three Gorges Forest Wild Animal World, which has been in the spotlight since one of its Siberian tigers was found beheaded and skinned, are on the verge of starvation because of a lack of funds.

Siberian tigers at the Three Gorges Forest Wild Animal World

Zookeeper Wang Jianxiang said the zoo had been struggling to provide enough food and medical care for the animals.

"We can't afford to buy pork for the animals, so instead we feed them chicken bones, beef liver and vegetables."

The zoo, a mostly private venture located in the suburbs of Yichang City, opened in October 2002. During its first few months in business, it attracted hordes of visitors, Qin Maolin, a retiree who used to work at the zoo, said.

He said all the animals came from a bear and tiger breeding company based in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

However, many animals died of hunger in 2003 during the SARS outbreak. Visitor numbers never recovered.

Last Thursday morning, a female Siberian tiger that was between six and seven years old was found dead at the zoo with its head, legs and skin missing. Over the weekend, the remains of two baby tigers were found in a refrigerator in the facility's ticket office.

Cao Guangyi, an official with the Yichang forestry bureau, said the two Bengal cubs had died at birth on November 28. Workers put the carcasses into the refrigerator to preserve them.

According to the national law on wildlife protection, zoos must get the approval of local authorities before disposing of deceased wild animals. However, the zookeepers did not report the deaths until the bureau started to investigate the matter on Saturday.

Cao said the zoo should have reported the deaths to the forestry bureau and then disposed of the bodies in accordance with the bureau's findings.

"The bureau has ordered the zoo to shape up its management and make sure employees understand the laws and regulations on wildlife protection."

Siberian tigers, among the world's 10 most endangered species, mostly live in Northeast China and the Russian Far East. Of the 400 estimated to be living in the wild, only 10 to 17 live in China.

By law, people who kill endangered or rare wild animals face a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Forestry police are investigating the tiger's death.

Covering about 40 hectares, the zoo, located 14 km from Yichang city, is home to more than 100 species of wild animals, including 15 tigers, five bears, six African lions, two wolves, 60 monkeys and some birds.

The facility has only five employees to oversee breeding, management and ticket sales.

"The zoo is losing money," Wang said. "This month, we have had only 20 visitors."

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2007)