2012 Wildlife in Need - Siberian Tiger 1oz Silver Proof Coin

The 5th release in the Wildlife in Need series is the Siberian Tiger.

The Siberian Tiger is considered among the largest of cats, and lives primarily in Eastern Russia and limited areas of China and North Korea. This imposing animal is easily recognised by its magnificent striped coat, which is used as camouflage. No two tigers will ever have the same patterning.

Female give birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise without the male mate. Cubs cannot hunt until they are approximately 18 months old, and remain with their mothers for two to three years, after which, they disperse to find their own territory.

In the 1940s, the Siberian Tiger was on the brink of extinction, with no more than 40 individuals remaining, but conservation efforts have stabilised the population and it is believed between 300 and 500 Siberian Tigers exist in the wild.

Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu

No more than 5,000 of these coins will be released.

Each coin is housed in a display case with illustrated shipper.