JACKSON — In the pagoda overlooking the new tiger center at the Jackson Zoo, 4- and 5-year-old children from the Park Place Christian Academy in Pearl nosed up to the tempered glass for a close look at three Sumatran cats.

Oohs, ahs, wows and kid-growls resulted — along with plenty of smiles from the 29 boys and girls, their teachers and parents.

“He’s pretty, isn’t he, guys?” one of the kids asked his friends.

“He’s big!” said another.

The renovated tiger center, home to 3-year-old Emerson, Kipling and Taymor, litter brothers born in Sacramento, is one of the zoo’s most popular attractions, said Rosemary Jalink, marketing and promotions director. “The pagoda is glassed so the kids can get face-to-face with the tigers.”