South Korean researchers have mapped the genome of the Siberian tiger for the first time in the world. 
 
A team led by Professor Lee Hang of Seoul National University and genome decoder Theragene Etex said, after three years, they have completely sequenced the DNA of a nine-year-old male tiger, Taegeuk, bred at Everland Zoo.
 
In addition, they mapped the genomes of four other big cats: the white tiger, lion, white lion and snow leopard. Their findings are expected to shed light on the various genetic traits of the cat family and ways to preserve the species. 
 
The study was published in Nature Communications, a bi-monthly scientific journal published by the Nature Publishing Group.