A lion and tiger have found a home in the United States after Saipan's zoo was destroyed by typhoons in the Northern Marianas.
Saipan Zoo's tiger Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Mark Rabago
The animals have been flown to an animal sanctuary in Colorado with the help of the charity Samnaritan's Purse.
The zoo was unable to care for Lambert the lion and Tasha Joy the tiger after Typhoon Soudelor caused major damage in 2015, which was exacerbated by Typhoon Yutu this year.
Saipan Zoo owner Frank Aldan said he had been looking for a new home for the two 15-year-old animals since Soudelor.
Samaritan's Purse said the DC-8 aircraft carrying the big cats landed in Denver on December 5, when both animals were found to be about 60 percent underweight.
Saipan Zoo's lion Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Mark Rabago