LIONS and tigers and bears, oh my!

Darling Downs Zoo is now just shy of boasting a trio of ferociously famous animals after the arrival of Shamana the tiger this week.

Shamana, who travelled to the Downs from another zoo in Tasmania, has been cutting a spectacular figure as hundreds of school children pour through the gates at Pilton this week.

Zoo owner Stephanie Robinson swapped Shamana for a pair of rare Macaw birds after the nine-year-old tiger refused to get along with her half-sister or an arranged mate in Tasmania.

The last tiger to take up residence at Darling Downs Zoo was a 24-year-old male who died of old age about two years ago.

It was obvious Mrs Robinson was happy to have a replacement as she played with Shamana yesterday.

“She's just beautiful,” Mrs Robinson smiled.

The zoo also has four new Blackbuck, an Indian antelope species, which includes a baby that is currently being hand-reared.

The Darling Downs Zoo is open every day of the school holidays from 9am to 4pm and visitors can experience reptile demonstrations, a South American animal tour and even watch the lions feed.