Endangered Sumatran tiger euthanized at Point Defiance Zoo due to health issues
An endangered Sumatran tiger has been euthanized at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
Mohan, 15, was put down Saturday after a continued decline in his health over the last month.
The 270-pound tiger suffered from advanced kidney disease, high blood pressure and severe arthritis in his neck, according to the zoo.
“While his time with us wasn’t long, Mohan was a favorite of our staff and guests and will be greatly missed,” said Dr. Karen Wolf, the zoo’s head veterinarian.. “He inspired us all to care deeply about tigers and to take action to save this critically endangered species in the wild.”
Mohan arrived in Tacoma in 2017 from the Sacramento Zoo. Officials were hoping to use artificial insemination to mate him with Kali, a much younger Sumatran tiger who lives in the Asian Forest Sanctuary.
The pair did not produce any cubs.
Kali, 6; Kirana, 5; and Bandar, 6, can still be seen on exhibit at the zoo.
An estimated 300 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild on their native Indonesian island of Sumatra. An estimated 80 Sumatran tigers live in accredited North American zoos.
This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 1:41 PM.
