Jingdaoese valleytiger
The Jingdaoese valleytiger (Panthera jingdaoesis) is a feline species that lives in south western Apollonia, almost exclusively in the territory of the Jingdaoese Empire. One group of the animals lives in Keltia, see below. It was the result of hybridisation experiments by Unit 666 in 1681. Ancestors of the animal are, possibly among others, tigers from Xianbei (Kitanus Fields), and a bijeko-lisea-nas from Corum. Goal of the project was to breed wild animals that are harmless to ethnic Jingdaoese citizens, but see others as prey. Results were moderately successful, with the animal still targeting minority groups such as Rivorians and Batavians. A group of 58 animals was released into the wild after funding for the project stopped in 1685. According to estimations, the population has since risen to 75 individual animals in the Tanlin and Zijinlin national parks. They are known to travel far and have been sighted close to the border with Senya and Floria, but no reports of sightings have been received from these nations.
Characteristics
The Jingdaoese valleytiger is an apex predator, its primary prey is dependent on the presence of ethnic Jingdaoese people in the vicinity. If these are around, it will focus on ungulates, such as goats and donkeys. It is a solitary but social predator, that share territories and will cooperate when they feel threatened. The animals can reach a length of 350cm and a weight of 250kg. The Jingdaoese valley tiger is extremely fast, regularly reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h in sprints. The animal can swim, and will cross wide rivers.
Valley tigers in the Eventide Islands
As the valley tigers are unlikely to attack ethnic Jingdaoese people, some of them have been caught and sold as pets. Highly notable was a case where poachers sold ten young valley tigers to a Ralgonese family living on the Eventide Islands as safe pets. As the valley tigers became adults, their genetic programming kicked in and they slew the entire family, before escaping into the Keltian wild. This particular group is known to actively seek out humans for prey, and prefers them over any other species. Likely because the valley tigers have learned to hunt by slaying their Ralgonese adoptive family. It is likely that the animals swim between the different Eventide Islands, as sightings have been reported on at least five different islands.
