Save China’s Tigers TigerTram Prowls Streets of Hong Kong
Once again a South China tiger prowls the streets of Hong Kong. Once indigenous to Hong Kong, the critically endangered South China tiger is now the world’s most criticially endangered tiger - fewer than 90 remain in captivity and less than 30 in the wild. But a dramatic striped TigerTram is now prowling the glass and concrete jungle of Hong Kong to call attention to the plight of China’s tigers.
Li Quan, founding director of the HK and UK registered charity Save China’s Tigers, behind the TigerTram, said of this awareness initiative, “We never pay for advertising but for the Year of the Chinese Tiger we wanted to celebrate our efforts to date in rescuing the South China tigers from its almost certain extinction, and to call attention of the general public for the need of increased participation. It would be tragic for the world if this ancestor of all tigers and an important cultural icon of China should be forever lost to future generations. We are keen to share this message with the people of Hong Kong, our major sponsors and dedicated supporters”.
“We were a little concerned about the public’s reaction to the TigerTram” says Gary Verstick, the charity’s General Manager. “There is a Cantonese proverb, The road is like a tiger’s mouth… but if the TigerTram reminds us to be careful crossing the road, so much the better and the tiger is a symbol of protection in Chinese culture. The tiger on the front (by HK photographer Paul Hilton) is ‘Madonna’, who was born in a zoo but now hunts prey at a wild life reserve in South Africa along with her own children. The cub on the side is ‘Hulooo’, one of five cubs sired by TigerWoods in our successful breeding program and a symbol of hope for the future of the Chinese tiger”.
Save China’s Tigers runs an innovative conservation project to rewild zoo-bred South China tigers, breed them and work with the Chinese government to establish protected reserves for their return. The tram advertising was chosen because of its cost efficiency and ability to make a big impact. “It’s like a giant billboard rolling back and forth through Hong Kong’s central core”, said Quan.
View pictures of the TigerTram here
Save China’s Tigers thanks our sponsors for their support:
The TigerTram was sponsored in part by:
Shanghai Tang
Asian Tigers
Conservation Finance International
JCDecaux Cityscape
Special thanks to Hong Kong sponsors:
Cathay Pacific
Green Dragon Fund
life of circle
The Excelsior Hong Kong