An endangered Siberian tiger was released by Russian President Vladimir Putin into the wild but has found its way to across China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Putin have held close ties with one another. The two leaders have been reported to exchange gifts and compliments. However, the latest release and escape of the Siberian tiger across the border would give President Xi a hard time in matching President Putin’s latest offer.

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The Siberian tiger was released earlier this year in the Zheludinsky regional zoological reserve. The tiger named Kuzya was set into the eastern Amur region last May, according to Russian media. Putin personally helped the release of the endangered animal.

Taipinggou nature reserve director Chen Zhigang confirmed the news about the tiger’s escape. Chen told Xinhua News they have been notified by phone regarding the animal’s location. He also added a Russian expert said they are hoping for China to protect the endangered tiger.

Siberian tigers are also known as Amur tigers. They have been found in forests located in Far East Russia, the Korean peninsula and China’s northeastern regions. However, they became nearly extinct in the 1940s, said the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Russia has then declared the animal endangered and protected the species. The population of the Siberian tigers was then stabilized to around 450.

The release and escape of the Siberian tiger was not an intentional present to China. However, the animal represents just as many characteristics the two leaders have. President Xi said last year that he and Putin treat each other as friends and have full open hearts toward one another. The Chinese President also added the Russian leader and he share similar characteristics.

Last year, the Chinese leader gave the Russian president an embroidered portrait, which Putin complimented saying it was beautifully made and appears very legendary.

TagsSiberian Tiger, Amur tiger, Russia, Chen Zhigang, World Wide Fund for Nature, Korean peninsula, Taipinggou nature reserve