Florida’s tallest launch coaster, Tigris, has now opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, boasting a 150ft (45.7m) skyward surge and an inverted heartline roll, getting riders to speeds of more than 60mph (97kmph).

The ride is now the ninth roller coaster at Busch Gardens and mimics the agility of a tiger, running through a series of looping twists with forward and backward motion.

Tigris sits in the Stanleyville area of the theme park adjacent to Jungala, which is home to the theme park’s endangered Bengal tigers. The ride’s queue is lined with educational material about the plight of wild tigers and the action conservationists are taking against it.

Busch Gardens held a special opening for the ride on 16 April for pass holders to get special Quick Queue access and was fully opened to the public on 19 April.

"This ride is unlike anything we have in our roller coaster collection," said Stewart Clark, president and general manager of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

"Tigris is a testament to our continuing investment in the park, and to bringing new and innovative experiences to our guests."

Earlier this year, the park announced it will replace its former wooden rollercoaster Gwazi, which closed in 2015, with a new record-breaking thrill ride.