26 Oct 2010

Tigers to help Australian breeding programme

8:17 pm on 26 October 2010

Two of the first tigers bred at Auckland Zoo are being sent to Australia to help with a breeding programme.

Two-year-olds Jalur and Cinta are leaving for the Symbio Wildlife Park, south of Sydney.

The male and female Sumatran tigers will be quarantined for 30 days first and are being sent to assist the breeding programme for the critically-endangered species.

Auckland Zoo says a keeper will accompany the animals on the flight.

Fewer than 160 Sumatran tigers are in zoos worldwide, and fewer than 400 in the wild.

The tigers' brother, Berani, is to remain at Auckland Zoo.