This image taken from video and made available by London Zoo, shows Sumatran tiger named Asim at London Zoo, Wednesday Jan. 30, 2019. Asim was recently transfered to London from a Danish safari park to serve as a new mate for female resident tiger Melati. (London Zoo via AP)
Republished February 02, 2019 - 10:30 AM
Original Publication Date February 02, 2019 - 8:26 AM
LONDON - A rare Sumatran tiger is getting acquainted with his new home after arriving at the London Zoo this week.
Asim, from Ree Park Safari in Denmark, was moved to the zoo Tuesday as a new mate for its resident female, 10-year-old Melati.
The zoo's head tiger keeper, Kathryn Sanders, says "Asim is a handsome, confident cat who is known for being very affectionate with the ladies in his life. We're hoping he'll be the perfect mate for our beautiful Melati."
The keepers say hopefully they will "eventually hear the pitter patter of tiny tiger paws."
Asim, a 7-year-old, was matched with Melati through the European Endangered Species Program for Sumatran tigers, which is co-ordinated by ZSL London Zoo experts in hopes of saving the species from extinction.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019