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Critically endangered Sumatran tiger killed after being introduced to potential mate in zoo

A critically endangered female Sumatran tiger has been killed at a zoo by a male that was introduced as a prospective mate.

London Zoo in the UK said it was “heartbroken” that 10-year-old Melati had been killed by new arrival Asim, 7, just moments after the two met.

Asim – who was brought to the zoo from Denmark to breed with Melati – had been getting to know the tigress over the last few days, but was kept from meeting her face-to-face.

All signs seemed positive, London Zoo explained in a statement, but when the two encountered one another in the flesh on Friday, things quickly turned violent.

“Zoo staff immediately implemented their prepared response, using loud noises, flares and alarms to try and distract the pair, but Asim had already overpowered Melati,” the zoo explained.

When they finally got Asim away, Melati was dead.

The zoo said it would now focus on caring for Asim.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are fewer than 400 of the tigers alive today.



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