White tiger at Monroe zoo dies

White tiger at Monroe zoo dies

Louisiana Gannett News • July 4, 2008

A Note From Dee: For information about white tigers please visit: http://bigcatrescue.org/cats/wild/white_tigers.htm

Taj, one of two white Bengal tigers at Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo in Monroe, was euthanized this morning after a long bout with kidney disease.

“He was a great animal and a wonderful draw for the zoo. He will be missed,” said zoo general curator Lisa Taylor, who announced the 14-year-old’s death this afternoon.

Taj was being treated for the disorder that had affected the animal for more than a year. “This tiger responded to treatment for a time much longer than is usual,” Taylor said.

“This is an unfortunate event, but we are proud of our team’s efforts to maintain the tiger’s quality of life, their observations and quick action in this regard,” said Johnny Riley, the zoo’s community affairs director and acting director.

There are no plans at this time to replace the tiger, which came to Monroe from Nashville Zoo in Tennessee in 2000, he said, adding that animal acquisition is an ongoing process and all avenues will be explored with regard to additions to the zoo’s collection.

A female white Bengal tiger remains on exhibit in the Monroe zoo’s catwalk.

Taj is the second animal to die at the Monroe zoo this year. In May, its youngest male giraffe died from complications of bloat caused by hairballs in its stomach. The giraffe had been at the zoo for about a year.

In 2004, a giraffe and an ostrich died after apparently drowning in a 15-foot sinkhole at the zoo.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080704/NEWS01/80704018

http://bigcatrescue.org