The Walking Dead season 7: Ezekiel's tiger reportedly glimpsed on set

Shiva the tiger is said to be depicted using a mixture of animatronics and CGI

With production on The Walking Dead season seven underway, it's a sure bet that plot details regarding the zombie drama's upcoming story arcs will be divulged over the coming months.

One such detail is the inclusion of two new characters - namely Ezekiel and his pet tiger, Shiva.

Graphic novel readers will know that Ezekiel is the leader of a faction known as The Kingdom, a member of which encountered Carol (Melissa McBride) and Morgan (Lennie James) in the show's sixth season finale.

Comicbook.com reports that the character - a former zookeeper - appears in scenes that will comprise the third episode of the upcoming season. Featuring also is Shiva who will reportedly be depicted using a mix of CGI and animatronics.

A Walking Dead season 7 trailer is expected to debut at this year's San Diego Comic-Con taking place in July; whether it will contain any hints as to who suffered new antagonist Negan's fatal blow remains to be seen.

The Walking Dead will resume on Fox this October.