Tiger Death
The juvenile Sumatran Tiger Nakal was found dead in the Tiger Exhibit pool late today, believed to have drowned.
Keepers gave the three young tigers a milk feed at 2:30pm, and when one of the Keepers checked the exhibit after 4pm only two tigers were visible.
The Zoo’s emergency procedures were implemented immediately, with the two other tigers being relocated into an off-limits area.
Since the Keepers could not see Nakal, they were concerned that he might have been ill or injured, so they checked through the exhibit, finally checking the pool, where his body was found.
General Curator Dan Maloney said that staff had acted quickly and efficiently to implement the emergency protocols.
‘We are all extremely saddened by the loss of Nakal. He was a Zoo favourite who was loved by all of the staff, our sponsors, and our visitors.
‘We will be offering grief counselling to all our staff.’
Nakal was one of three Sumatran Tigers born at Melbourne Zoo on October 28, 2006. His parents are father Ramalon and mother Binjai, and his surviving siblings are the male Satu and the female Isha.
He was a Zoo favourite who was loved by all of the staff, our sponsors, and our visitors.
Nakal was one of three Sumatran Tigers born at Melbourne Zoo on October 28, 2006. His parents are father Ramalon and mother Binjai, and his surviving siblings are the male Satu and the female Isha.
If you would like to send a message of condolence to the ‘Tiger Family’ (tigers, keepers, zoo staff), please send to TigerFamily@zoo.org.au
We appreciate your support and thoughts at this difficult time.
http://www.zoo.org.au/Nakal
Dee
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