Hamilton Zoo's latest star attraction had a bit of stage fright yesterday as she settled into her new home.
Four-year-old Sumatran tigress Sali arrived from Queensland's Dreamworld on Monday night and took to her new abode well, surprising zoo staff by eating immediately and gnawing on her wooden bed and blanket.
However, when the cameras started flashing yesterday the tiger, who is in quarantine for a week, retreated and appeared nervous.
Hamilton Zoo director Stephen Standley said despite being hand-reared, Dreamworld had warned she was its most nervous tiger. "But she's a lovely looking little cat."
Sali will make her first public appearance next week. She arrived at the zoo as part of the Australasian breeding programme and was expected to start reproducing next year.
