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Thrilla in Manila: tiger cubs wow Filipino zoo visitors

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Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/nation2/07/15/snake_071516.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Zoo owner Manny Tiangco poses with a snake wrapped around his neck at Malabon Zoo in Malabon. <em>Reuters</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - A pair of newborn Bengal tigers and a thirsty orangutan charmed Filipino zoo visitors Thursday, as the captive-bred cubs playfully competed with the pony-tailed ape for a milk bottle.</p><p>The two-month old tigers, named Duterte and Leni after the country&#x27;s president and his deputy, were joined by the orangutan during snack time at a private zoo in Manila.</p><p>The ape, with a chute of hair jutting up from the top of its head, proved more interested in the milk than the young cubs, snatching a bottle away from the siblings who appeared not to notice.</p><p>At one point though, the orangutan -- called Pacquiao after famed Filipino boxer Manny -- concedes and feeds one of the tigers from the bottle.</p><p>Despite their cuddly appearance, zoo owner and businessman Manny Tangco warned visitors to keep their distance.</p><p>&quot;Don&#x27;t get too close, they can already scratch you,&quot; he told visitors.</p><p>But Tangco said the 18-year-old orangutan was happy to play with the tigers.</p><p>&quot;They are all friendly with each other,&quot; he told AFP.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/nation2/07/15/tigers1.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Zoo owner Manny Tiangco bottle feeds Bengal tiger cubs which he named Duterte and Leni, referring to President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice-President Leni Robredo, at Malabon Zoo in Malabon. <em>Reuters</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>The cubs bring to 12 the number of tigers born at the zoo.</p><p>The tigers are the descendants of a pair of captive-bred tigers donated by an American breeder 35 years ago, according to Tangco.</p><p>In a political nod, the cubs are named after newly elected President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo.</p><p>The orangutan meanwhile is named after boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, who made his own foray into politics when he was elected to the Philippine Senate in May.</p><p>The Bengal tiger is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Tigers are not indigenous to the Philippines.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/nation2/07/15/tigers2.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Bengal Tiger cub named Duterte plays with Leni, referring to President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice-President Leni Robredo, which were named by zoo owner Manny Tiangco in Malabon, Metro Manila. <em>Reuters</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>mm/ajm/jv/rb</p><div><strong>© 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

MANILA - A pair of newborn Bengal tigers and a thirsty orangutan charmed Filipino zoo visitors Thursday, as the captive-bred cubs playfully competed with the pony-tailed ape for a milk bottle.