Putin presents Pyongyang zoo with tiger, brown bear

Putin has gifted more than 70 zoo animals to North Korea.

Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment An African lion, a gift to North Korea from Russian President Vladimir Putin, peeks through its carrier hole. — Putin has gifted more than 70 zoo animals to North Korea.

In another display of growing ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, Russian President Vladimir Putin has gifted North Korea’s main zoo with more than 70 animals, including a lion and two brown bears.

Putin’s Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov brought the animals to the North Korean capital on a cargo plane, Kozlov’s office said on its official Telegram channel on Wednesday.

Kozlov’s office said the shipment of animals from Moscow included two yaks, five cockatoos and dozens of pheasants, as well as Mandarin ducks.

The gift comes a few weeks after the US and South Korean revelations. North Korea sent thousands of troops. Fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine.

WATCH: Putin Gives North Korea Zoo Animals

In Pyongyang, Russia’s environment minister also paid a courtesy call on Kim.

This is not the first time in recent memory that Russia has sent animals to North Korea.

Earlier this year, Putin gifted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with 24 thoroughbred horses, reportedly thanks to North Korean-supplied artillery shells.

Putin and Kim have strengthened their alliance in recent months as both countries face sanctions from the West.