A new tiger-themed steel rollercoaster is to open at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay next spring.
The theme park claims Tigris will be Florida’s tallest launch coaster. It will move both forwards and backwards, with steep drops, a 150-foot skyward surge and an inverted roll, all at more than 60mph.
The 1,800 feet of steel track has been designed to mimic the agility of the tiger.
A second new ride will be coming to the Gwazi area of the park in 2020.
The Tigris attraction is being constructed in the Stanleyville area of the theme park, adjacent to Jungala, which houses endangered Bengal tigers.
Busch Gardens is also home to Malayan tigers – a subspecies with less than 500 individuals in the wild – as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
The Tigris queue will include educational content about the plight of tigers in the wild and what conservationists are doing to help save them.
Five per cent of the sale price of merchandise sold will be donated to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund to protect tigers and their habitats.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay president and general manager Stewart Clark said: “Tigris will be a strong addition to our family of world-class thrill rides.
“With three intensely exciting launch points, this ride is unlike anything we have in our coaster collection.
“This new attraction is a testament to our continued investment in the park, bringing new and innovative experiences to our guests.”