Siberian tiger tracks found in NE China

CHANGCHUN, May 30 -- Tracks of a wild Siberian tiger have been found by a forest ranger in northeast China's Jilin Province, suggesting expansion of the tiger population and range, local authorities said on Monday.

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, according to Cao Yongfu, director of the bureau.

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.