‘London Zoo not to blame for death of Sumatran tiger’

London Zoo denied it was responsible for the death of an endangered Sumatran tiger mauled by a potential mate brought in as part of a breeding programme. Staff were left "entirely distraught" by the death of the tigress, called Melati, the zoo's manager said, rejecting suggestions they had not waited long enough before allowing the animals into the same enclosure. Zoo staff held Melati, 10, and Asim, 7, in adjacent enclosures for 10 days before allowing them on Friday to try and breed as part of a Europe-wide programme to help boost the numbers of the endangered animal.