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Can you touch your nose with your tongue? This hungry tiger prowls forward with eyes fixed on a photographer and its tongue touching her nose. The Sumatran tiger was snapped at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent as it purposefully strides forward with its tongue out. Photographer and volunteer at the sanctuary Paul Meek said, “This tiger, named Puna, has lived at the sanctuary since 2005 and has successfully rearer four cubs as part of the Endangered Species Breeding Programme which aims to provide a safety net for the species. She is often seen with her tongue out in anticipation for food, and is also known for her delightful ‘chuff’, a soft and rapid exhale through the nose that is a way of expressing positive emotion to other tigers or keepers.” “The Sumatran can be found on a small island in Indonesia and are classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated 400-500 left in the wild. They are endangered primarily due to habitat loss caused by deforestation for agriculture, often palm oil plantations. Illegal poaching for traditional medicines and the wildlife trade, along with diminishing prey populations and habitat fragmentation, further compound the threats. Conservation efforts are crucial to address these interconnected challenges and safeguard the Sumatran tiger population from extinction.” Please byline: Paul Meek/Solent News © Paul Meek/Solent News & Photo Agency UK +44 (0) 2380 458800