Zoo loses elderly tiger

Tools

Story Published: Jan 27, 2010 at 11:06 AM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 27, 2010 at 11:06 AM MDT

By Steven Pope

IDAHO FALLS - The Tautphaus Park Zoo sadly reports the loss of one of its 16 year old Amur tigers. The cat died yesterday following its routine physical. The tiger had been taken to the CHC Foundation Animal Health Care Center on grounds for the physical. “The procedure went very well,” said Zoo Superintendent Bill Gersonde. “We drew blood, his vitals were good, he had a routine dental and we took x-rays, all in all it was an uneventful routine procedure”, said Gersonde. He was returned to the off exhibit tiger night rooms to recover from the anesthesia. According to Gersonde the cat stopped breathing and despite efforts by the zoo veterinarian and zoo staff, the animal could not be revived. A second tiger received his physical and recovered without incident.

“We can get very attached to these animals. They aren’t pets by any means but some of the staff have worked with this cat from the point when it arrived here 13 years ago, they can’t help but develop a relationship with these animals. We are all feeling a loss”, said Gersonde.

The tiger was born in February 1994 at the Houston Zoo and moved to Idaho Falls on February 28 of 1997. The animal had no major health concerns throughout his life though in recent months he had developed problems swallowing food and was showing signs of age with some stiffness in his walk.

A necropsy, which is an animal autopsy, was performed but no obvious cause of death was found. Tissues samples have been sent off for lab analysis with results expected in the next few weeks. Life expectancy for tigers is 15 – 20 years of age. Tigers are solitary animals so the zoo will continue to exhibit the remaining cat and has no plans to replace the tiger at this time.

The Tautphaus Park Zoo, founded in 1935, is dedicated to preserving wildlife and educating and entertaining Zoo guests. Located in Tautphaus Park off South Blvd, the Zoo is home to over 400 animals of 98 different species exhibited in a variety of naturalistic displays. The zoo is open from 9:00am – 4:00pm. Admission is just $5.50 for adults 13-61 years old, $4.00 for seniors 62 and older, $2.50 for children 4-12 years old, and children 3 and under are free. For more information visit the Zoo online at www.idahofallszoo.org.

More news articles

Current Weather

Current Temp 34.0 °F

Fair

Video

More Weather

Current Weather

More Weather

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.