Tiger Euthanized At Zoo
POSTED: 1:04 pm EST November 25, 2008
UPDATED: 5:47 pm EST November 25, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Zoo has euthanized one of its tigers.
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Sinda, an Amur tiger who turned 17 on Nov. 3, died at the Louisville Zoo Tuesday morning. Seventeen is considered to be geriatric for big cats.
In September, Sinda was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma, a very aggressive oral cancer.
The zoo’s veterinary team consulted with a local oral surgeon, veterinary surgeon and veterinary oncologist to help determine the best course of action. While surgical removal is the treatment of choice, due to the tumor’s size and location, it was considered inoperable. Sinda was prescribed anti-inflammatory medications to make her more comfortable.
Once her conditioned progressed to the point where it became painful for her to move and extremely difficult to eat, zoo staff made the decision to euthanize her.
“She will be greatly missed,” said Dave Hodge, a keeper who cared for Sinda since she arrived at the Louisville Zoo in 1999. “I will never forget her. She was the most beautiful tiger I have worked with or seen.”
Hodge also said he will remember Sinda as a great mother and caretaker for her two cubs, Anya and Irisa, which were born at the Louisville Zoo in 2004. They currently live at the Columbus Zoo.
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