The antelope photo has inevitably reminded Chinese of the suspected fake South China tiger photo, allegedly shot by a farmer in Shaanxi Province in October, which caused a national controversy.

Zhou Zhenglong, from the mountainous Zhenping County, presented photos of the tiger he claimed were taken in the forest near his village.

The local forestry authority said the photos were proof the rare tiger still existed in the wild. But Internet users accused Zhou of making the tiger images with digital software, and local authorities of approving the photographs to bolster tourism.

In December, the State Forestry Administration demanded the provincial forestry department have the photo authenticated by a panel of experts.

Two weeks ago, Shaanxi Forestry Department apologized for publicizing the photos.