Jambi Zoo to add Bengal tiger and African lion

Jambi (ANTARA) - Taman Rimba Zoo in the Indonesian city of Jambi is set to welcome a male Bengal tiger and a male African lion to its collection as part of a wildlife exchange and conservation program.

The Bengal tiger, around one year and eight months old, arrived in early August from Lembang Park and Zoo in West Java. It is currently in quarantine at Jambi Zoo before being introduced to visitors.

The African lion, aged four, will arrive from Faunaland Ancol in Jakarta and is expected to be transferred in September, once all administrative steps are completed, Head of the Jambi Province Agriculture and Livestock Agency Rumusdar said here Wednesday.

"These animals will expand our zoo collection and help attract more visitors. We also want to educate the public about wildlife and conservation," he said.

In addition to bringing in new animals, Taman Rimba Zoo has sent three Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus) to other Indonesian zoos in Cibubur, Ancol, and Lembang.

The animal exchange program has been approved by the Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), he said.

Both the tiger and lion will be on public display starting in September. Their enclosures have been renovated to ensure their comfort, Rumusdar said.

Taman Rimba Zoo is one of the main tourist attractions in Jambi, and the arrival of these big cats is expected to boost visitor numbers and interest in Indonesia’s wildlife conservation efforts.