Sumatran tigers retire to Kent

The tigers who came to tea

by Andrea Thomas
Vets at London Zoo give Raika the tiger a health-check. Credit: London Zoo

Two rare Sumatran tigers are beginning a new life in Kent after retiring to the country from London Zoo. Raika and Lumpur are being cared for at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Smarden, after a long an illustrious career entertaining the crowds in the big smoke.

A blood sample is taken while Raika is under anaesthetic. Credit: London Zoo

Both needed health checks before they travelled. Eyes, ears, chest - and of course, their razor-sharp teeth. Not surprisingly, the medics at London Zoo knocked them out with an anaesthetic before they got to work.

Vets inspect the tiger's paws. Credit: London Zoo

Keepers say Raika and Lumpur are settling in well to their new surroundings in Smarden. Andrea Thomas has been given exclusive access to meet them - and she even got to hand feed one of the tigers. Click on the link below to see her report.