Two Sumatran tigers just arrived at the Honolulu Zoo bring feline beauty, a touch of the jungle and a plan to produce cubs to help their endangered species survive.

They came from the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Indiana as part of a plan endorsed by more than 200 accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide, Honolulu Zoo director Ken Redman said.

"Basically, it's a computerized dating or mating system," he said.

The Advertiser yesterday got a preview of the tigers — Berani, the male and the larger of the pair, and Chrissie, the female — as they explored their new home in Waikiki.

Fort Wayne zoologist Tanisha Dunbar flew with the tigers from Indiana and helped them settle in before her scheduled return last night. Berani got the first look around the tiger exhibit, gingerly chewing some tall grass and slowly working his way around.

He stopped to sniff at his mate, Chrissie, who was still being kept in the sleeping quarters. His presence prompted some growling from Djelita, the zoo's tiger in residence, who was being kept in a separate pen.

"They seem really mellow. I think they're enjoying this weather," Dunbar said, noting that they left behind temperatures in the low 30s.

She foresees no problem with the transition — at least for the animals, who already are eating and acclimating. But as her flight grew closer, Dunbar admitted: "I was a little hesitant to leave them. But I'm glad that they're going to be together. "

Dunbar shows a healthy respect for the big, powerful creatures but is clearly fond of them. "They're not mean," she said. "They're really sociable."

Djelita was alone since April 5 when the zoo's other tiger, the male Pandji, died of various illnesses. But Redman said Djelita was spayed to avoid inbreeding because there already are a number of her genetic line among some 200 Sumatran tigers in various zoos.

Since one tiger was donated to the Honolulu Zoo and the other on loan, the zoo's only cost was $10,000 to transport about 1,000 pounds of animals and crates — along with one zoologist.

Berani and Chrissie had three cubs in Indiana — two males and one female — that remain at that zoo, Dunbar said.

Redman expects the couple to be welcoming cubs to Honolulu by next year.

He said zoo visitors can already look at the tigers, one by one or in various combinations as the new arrivals get to know their surroundings and the resident Sumatran.

But the zoo will have to wait a little longer for another new arrival. Violet the orangutan was scheduled to fly from San Diego last night but her flight was postponed. Redman said she started to peel away some of the metal within the crate, so handlers delayed her trip.

"Let's not take any risks," Redman said, but he expects a new flight to be set soon.

Reach (Ukjent person) at (unknown address).