Chester Zoo in England has released the first photographs of a three-year-old endangered Sumatran tiger named Dash who was recruited from Fota Wildlife Park.
The male tiger was recruited from the Co Cork site to help protect the critically endangered species.
Born in Cork in June 2019, Dash has been identified as a genetically compatible mate for the Chester Zoo's resident female, Kasarna, as conservationists hold out hope for the emergence of cubs.
Fota Wildlife Park participates in the European Endangered Species Programme for Sumatran tigers, and the move has been welcomed by those involved in animal welfare.
Director of animals and plants at Chester Zoo Mike Jordan described Dash as a handsome and confident young tiger.
"Dash has quickly settled into his new surroundings. He's been carefully matched with female tiger Kasarna, based on his age, character and his genetics, and we're hopeful that they'll soon strike up a close bond and, one day, go on to have cubs."
He added that with only 400 left in the wild, every cub could be critical for the future of the species.
"Sumatran tigers are exceptionally rare and, sadly, their wild population continues to feel enormous pressure from mass-scale habitat loss, poaching and human-tiger conflict," he said.
The first Sumatran tiger to be born at Fota Wildlife Centre to parents Dourga and Denar was female Dharma, in May 2017.
She was later transferred to Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
Sumatran tigers have webbed paws which make them skilled swimmers, they have stripes closer together than other types of tiger.
The Sumatran tiger was classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2008.
With additional reporting by Cathy Lee
