The three young Siberian tigers are expected to arrive here from Russia in the first half of this year, a diplomatic source said Thursday.

“The two governments in Seoul and Moscow have decided to seek the delivery of tigers in the first half of this year. This is meaningful in that it is a symbol of friendship between the two countries,” the source said, refusing to be identified.

The three tigers, are an endangered species, are a little over one year old. Sources said that the Environment Ministry and other related organizations are currently in talks with Russia over how to safely transport the tigers.

During the summit between the leaders of the two countries in Seoul last year, Russian officials had promised to send the tigers sometime this year, explaining the cubs were still too young to travel.

Moscow made the promise to give Seoul two male Siberian tigers and one female for the first time in 2009. Expressing hopes of carrying on the rare species that is thought to remain only in Far East Russia, South Korea requested a donation of the animals.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)