Chinese authorities on the hunt for Siberian tiger after it bites villager in Heilongjiang

Farmer nearly loses his hand to ferocious feline in northeastern province where conservation efforts have boosted wild tiger activity

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Siberian tigers are typically found in northeastern China, parts of North Korea and southeastern Siberia in Russia. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 10:00am, 21 Nov 2024Updated: 10:46am, 21 Nov 2024

Several towns in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang are searching for a wild tiger – and warning residents – after the large feline injured a villager.

Local media reported that a farmer in Boli county suffered a broken left hand after being bitten by a tiger. He reportedly avoided amputation thanks to hours of surgery.

A video that went viral on Chinese social media this week showed a tiger outside the gate of another resident’s compound in Changtai village on Monday morning. The villager is seen hastily closing the iron gate to avoid the charging tiger.

Local authorities said it was a Siberian tiger and that they were still trying to track it down.

Since Monday, officials in Boli county and surrounding areas have repeatedly warned residents to “go out in groups” and avoid mountainous areas.

The Heilongjiang Forestry and Grassland Administration, which is responsible for forest and wildlife management, held an emergency meeting on Tuesday and said the tiger’s appearance required “special attention” as Siberian tiger activity was not common in Boli county, according to the agency’s website.

The Siberian tiger is the largest subspecies of tiger and is a protected animal in China.