A set of special stamps on rare Chinese tiger will be issued in central China's Wuhan City Aug. 23,to celebrate the opening of the 19th international conference of zoology scheduled from Aug. 23 to 27 in Beijing, local sources said Thursday.

This set of special stamps comprises two sheets, each with a face value of 2.8 yuan (about 33 cents).

South China tiger, also called "panthera tigris amoyensis," is native to China and mainly lives in China's Fujian, Guangdong, Hubei and Hunan provinces. Currently, fewer than 60 tigers remain, including those living in captivity.

The tiger has been listed among the most endangered animals in the world. And the issue of the special stamps may call people's attention to the protection of this rare species.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2004)