Rare tiger was rescued by police in southern Italy.

A rare Bengal Tiger has found a new home at Rome's Bioparco after being rescued by Italian forestry police in southern Italy.

The eight-year-old black and white male tiger had been kept illegally in a cage since birth, and was found to be maltreated and starved.

Following a period of rehabilitation the newly-christened Gladio placed his paws on grass for the first time on 25 May, after a lifetime of stepping only on concrete, according to Bioparco president Federico Coccia.

The animal now lives in a e 400-sqm enclosure with thick vegetation, a swimming pool and natural shelters.