The South China tiger cub in Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary in north of Johannesburg of South Africa, Jan. 20, 2008. The cub is the first of his species to be born in captivity outside of China. Born in the Laohu Valley Reserve about 600 km south of Johannesburg on Nov. 23, 2007, the male South China Tiger cub is now healthy and strong. The Save China's Tigers Foundation, which oversees the "re-wilding" training project for four South China tigers at Laohu Valley, will initiate a naming campaign for the little cub worldwide. There are only around 60 South China tigers left in captivity and less than 30 in the wild. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The name of the first South China tiger cub born outside of China will be chosen from a list of suggestions made by members of the public, both in China and abroad.

    The cub, born in the Laohu Valley Reserve about 600 km south of Johannesburg on Nov. 23 last year, is the first South China tiger to be born in captivity outside of China.

    His mother Cathay and father Tiger Woods are both undergoing training in the reserve ahead of a planned introduction to the wild.

    People can suggest names through the website Sina.com and a shortlist will be drawn up. People overseas can submit their ideas to the website of Save China's Tigers (www. savechinastigers.org).

The South China tiger cub plays in Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary in north of Johannesburg of South Africa, Jan. 20, 2008. The cub is the first of his species to be born in captivity outside of China.  (Xinhua Photo)

    The charity and the State Forestry Administration will select the final name and make it public at the end of February. The charity will also reward the name providers.

    The organizers said the name should "reflect the cultural or historical status of the South China tiger", and be less than three Chinese characters.

    Since 2003, four tigers have undergone "rewilding" training at Laohu Valley Reserve.

    China is also carrying out preparatory work to establish a pilot reserve for the eventual return of these tigers.

    However, experts from the State Forestry Administration have admitted a shortage of land and money has disrupted preparations.