BEIJING, April 26 --  Zookeepers in Yunnan Wild Animals Park are implanting digital identification chips in animals for better management and protection.

    The sewing-needle-sized chips, provided by the State Forestry Administration, contain each animal's name, age, gender, species, birth date and birthplace, blood type and DNA information, said Li Youlong, head of the Animals Management Department with the Yunnan Wild Animals Park.

    The chips will be injected into the necks, ears or tails of about 200 animals that are under Class A or B state-level protection in the zoo, such as Siberian tigers, African lions, gibbons and black swans, Li said.

    The chips will help zookeepers better manage the endangered animals. The taggings are expected to be finished by June.

    The Yunnan park has more than 10,000 animals from more than 110 species.

    The State Forestry Administration has ordered all zoos to implant chips in 17 species, including tigers, lions, elephants, giant pandas, bears, golden monkeys, cranes and swans.

    Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kunming.

    (Source: XHTV)