The hunt for two tigers in the Mount Tai area is costing the local tourism industry a lot of money in lost business as tourists stay away.

Meanwhile, last night it emerged that the animals being looked for could be leopards, and not tigers.

Both the mountainous Donglu area and Tianzhu Peak, the two sites where villagers first reported seeing two tigers on June 8, were still closed, and other tourist attractions were only allowing visitors during the day.

Cao Xingkui, vice-director of the Mount Tai Scenic Area Administration Bureau, said the number of tourists had declined by at least half compared with the same period in previous years. June is usually a peak month for tourism.

Many travel agencies around the country have adjusted their routes for Shandong, removing Mount Tai from the list of must-see places.

The Taian Information Office said yesterday that search parties have found some paw prints but they might not necessarily be from tigers.

Two animals, thought to be tigers, were spotted in the area on June 8. It is not clear where they came from.

Yang Minggang, head of the Taian Wildlife Protection Station, said the prints were from a big cat, such as a tiger or leopard. If the prints were from a tiger, the animal will be an adult, about one or two years old.

The local government has mobilized more than 1,000 people from the local Public Security Bureau, the armed police and fire brigade to search for the animals.

The search is mainly conducted between 3 am and 7 am and from 4 pm until sunset, a tiger's active period. Search parties place beef and mutton along riverbanks and wait for the animals to come.

Thirteen sentries are on watch over each 24-hour period. Infrared night-searching apparatus and helicopters have also been used to help search during the night.

More than 400 armed police have been patrolling the area.

Gu Zhigang, an official with Taian Armed Police, said all policemen have studied the Wildlife Protection Law and will not shoot if they spot the animals. They will hide and follow them, and report to the authorities promptly.

Mount Tai is considered one of the most beautiful scenic spots in the country. It was worshipped by emperors of different dynasties. Eminent ancient scholars, masters and poets wrote about it.

(China Daily June 21, 2004)