The trained tigers' offspring will be relocated and released into pilot reserves in China, while the original animals remain in South Africa to continue breeding.

"The tigers are ready to come, but when will the country be ready to receive them," said Quan Li, founder of Save China's Tigers.

Lu Jun, head of the general office at the Wildlife Research and Development Center, said there are two reasons for the delay.

"First, was the delay in breeding, as the first tigers to come to China were to be selected from second-generation rewilding South China tigers born in South Africa," he said.

"The second reason was a delay in establishing pilot reserves in China, particularly due to problems with the relocation of people living inside the selected nature reserves."

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