Tears as tiger cub Indah dies

Ben Blomfield
Saturday, January 2, 2010

INDAH the tiger cub has died, just 17 days after her miracle birth.

The Sumatran tiger cub was a genuine miracle baby whose mother had previously been written off as too old to produce offspring.

The Far North’s only locally born tiger cub died in her sleep about 9pm on Wednesday from suspected severe gastroenteritis.

She had opened her eyes for the first time the day before her death, which was unexpected by her carers.

X-rays revealed blood clots in her lungs and blood in her stomach.

Pictures: Indah the tiger cub

Losing Indah was like losing a family member, Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve’s managing director Jenny Jattke said .

“We’re completely devastated, after caring for her for two weeks every day and up all night with her, we’re just devastated,” she said.

“They’re part of our family all of our animals, because we’re so close to them, losing them is like losing a family member.

Since her birth at the reserve at Koah, Indah became a local celebrity as the first tiger to be delivered in North Queensland.

Still unable to open her eyes, Indah had the whole of the Far North watching as she stole the hearts of thousands of readers when The Cairns Post published her arrival last month.

More than 500 people flooded cairns.com.au and the reserve with name suggestions as part of competition to label the lovely bub and play a part in her legacy.

Her chosen name means “beautiful”.

Tiger cub named Indah

Indah will be buried this weekend in the enclosure where her parents Louise and Hari live.

The reserve will consider trying to breed another tiger cub but Ms Jattke said all thoughts were just about getting through this week.

Robin Piccolo, who was one of two women who put forth winning name suggestions, said the news was heart breaking.

It is hoped post-mortem examination results next week will confirm the cause of Indah’s death.