TAMPA, Fla. — Get ready to be catapulted directly into Tampa Bay sky -- Tigris is finally open at Busch Gardens.
The more than 1,800-foot long roller coaster surges riders through looping twists, dropping them repeatedly and sending them both forward and backward -- reaching top speeds of more than 60 miles per hour.
Busch Gardens' newest coaster is designed to mimic the agility of a real tiger. The boarding area also includes built-in messages about the importance of wild tigers.
"Animals are a big part of our brand and our messaging," Stewart Clark, president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, told 10News during a previous tour. "We want you to leave having a great experience but also with a little bit of a message of how you can help tigers."
Tigris is a Sky Rocket II coaster, similar to the Tempesto in Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the Electric Eel at SeaWorld San Diego.
Tigris is the eighth thrill ride at the Tampa theme park and strengthens Busch Gardens' nickname of Florida's roller coaster king.
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