HONG KONG, Sept. 1 (Xinhuneta) -- Cathay Pacific Airways on Monday helped to transport two Chinese Tigers from Beijing to South Africa as part of the Save China's Tigers project, pioneered by the Save China's Tigers Foundation.

　　The two tiger cubs, which are named Cathay and Hope, respectively, arrived in Hong Kong in transit to Johannesburg thisevening. The cubs will be taught hunting skills in South Africa sothat they might later be returned to China and survive in the wild.

　　Cathay Pacific, being the official airline sponsor of the project, hopes to transport another five to seven tiger cubs from the Chinese Mainland to South Africa over the next five years in abid to reintroduce them to the wild.

　　It is hoped that the tigers and any offspring will be returningto their homeland in 2008.

　　The two tigers were born in the Shanghai Zoo. The female cub, born on Jan. 21 this year, is named Cathay after Cathay Pacific Airways; and the male, born on Feb. 17, is named Hope by supportive readers of the Sunday People newspaper in the United Kingdom.

　　Cathay Pacific General Manager Corporate Communication Alan Wong said,"We are most pleased to be able to get involved in this meaningful project. By transporting the tiger cubs to South Africawe will be able to help regain their hunting abilities and sustaintheir future development." Enditem