QINGDAO - A tiger cub died after falling off a building in an East China city, as it was apparently spooked by firecrackers during the Spring Festival holiday.

The seven month old cub struggled free of its chains and escaped its cage on Feb 18, the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, and jumped off the Guwu Building in Pingdu city, Shandong province, according to the local government.

Firecrackers play a big part in Chinese celebrations, as many believe that they scare away evil spirits.

Pictures on Microblog Sina Weibo show the dead tiger in a parking lot.

Police and forestry officials are investigating whether the tiger was legally raised.

Tigers are under state protection in China and individuals are not allowed to keep or breed tigers under law.