Heart failure is being blamed for the shocking and sudden death of a two-year-old Siberian tiger at the Greater Vancouver Zoo.
The animal, Hani, was found dead in her cage on April 30. Staff said the animal had appeared healthy but lost its appetite the day before.
Veterinarian Dr. Bruce Burton said necropsy results reveal there was an accumulation of fluid and fibrin in its chest.
“This pathological finding is most often caused by an infection. However, upon closer inspection, this turned out not to be the case with Hani,” he said.
Instead, the tiger died of “significant” left-sided heart failure, which vets believe is the result of a disease called Cardiomyopathy.
Burton said the genetic disease is “chronic and poorly understood” and is often seen domestic cats and some breeds of dogs. The condition, which contributes to the buildup of fluid, almost always causes sudden death, he added.
“It is important to realize that all animals, both wild and domestic, can have fatal genetic, congenital or acquired problems which we are powerless to treat,” Burton said.
Hani was born at a South Korea zoo and was set to turn three later this month.
The Greater Vancouver Zoo euthanized its oldest tiger, Sweetie, four months ago because of health issues.
Critics of the zoo say it’s time to phase out exotic animals in captivity and turn the facility into a sanctuary for orphaned or injured Canadian wildlife.
Tigers are considered an endangered species, with only 3,200 left in the wild worldwide.
