Despite of the above success and progress, we also recognize that our acts of tiger conservation in China, especially for South China tigers, face many difficulties and problems as follows:

1. Lack of sufficient and explicit information on the range, size and structure of tiger populations in the wild. Although investigation of South China tigers and Amur tigers has been carried out, we do not have precise census data yet due to the fluctuating range. We still have no enough precision of the investigation due to its range decreasing instantly and the lack of essential techniques.

2. Lack of scientific research on tiger populations. Knowledge about habitat characteristics, feeding and reproductive behavior, and meta-population dynamics of tiger populations in the wild is also rather limited and incomplete, preventing us from establishing scientific and effective conservation measures. Many problems on reintroduction of captive-bred tigers into the wild should be solved.

3. No effective connection between sub-populations, due to fragmentary habitats and "island" distribution, leads to genetic drift, inbreeding and retrogradation of tiger populations in the wild.

4. The abilities of Chinese investigators and researchers should be strengthened, and the technology of census and analysis should be improved. Meanwhile, tigers bred in captivity should be marked to establish the clear genetic lineage and control breeding of tigers in captivity.

In order to solve these problems, we have undertaken or plan to undertake the following activities:

a. To investigate tigers in the wild and their habitats to further precise understanding of the distribution, number and structure of tiger populations in the wild. China started the "National Survey of Wildlife Resources" in 1995 and "Investigation of South China Tigers" was listed as a special work in the survey in 1997. Helongjiang and Jilin Province cooperated with other international organizations in conducting a survey of Amur tigers. At present, Amur tiger census will be finished, the South China tiger survey had gain some results.

b. To deeper studies on biological habits and ecological behaviors of tigers in the wild by improving the capabilities of investigators, researchers, and administrators and introducing advanced techniques and methods.

c. To establish more protection institutes and enforce the capabilities of protection and management agencies according to the results of the investigation after it is finished. To conduct public education and propagation in the important distribution areas of tigers in the wild and set up the cooperation mechanism for local people to join in tiger conservation acts.

d. To amend the action plan of tiger protection for recovery of tiger habitats and effective connections among separated tiger populations in "island" distribution areas.

e. To sound research on the breeding of tigers in captivity and reintroduction of them to the wild, mark captive tigers and establish a captive tiger studbook, enlarge tiger populations bred in captivity, solve the existing problems in reintroducing tigers bred in captivity to the wild and gradually let them back to the wild.