Malayan Tigress, Indian Rhino Dead At Zoo Miami
MIAMI (CBS4) - Officials at Zoo Miami are mourning the loss of a female Malayan tiger and an Indian Rhino, both of whom died at Zoo Miami Monday.
A tigress, named Tevy, was found dead in her enclosure Monday morning, according to Zoo Miami spokesperson Ron Magill.
Magill said zookeepers had noticed Tevy acting lethargic about a month ago. She recovered, but began suffering from the same symptoms last week. During an exam Sunday, veterinarians discovered that the was severely jaundiced and a course of treatment was planned. She died before completing treatment.
"She wasn't a young tigress, but at 13 she still had some years ahead of her here at the zoo," said Zoo Miami's Ron Magill. "She was a very key component to the breeding program we have here at the zoo. Now we are going to have to start from square one, basically, to try and get a mate for Hati, the other Malayan Tiger here as a part of that breeding program."
A necropsy performed Monday showed Tevy died from advanced liver failure. More tests are being performed to determine the definitive cause of death.
Tevy was born February 28, 2000 at the Cincinnati Zoo and arrived at Zoo Miami from the Knoxville Zoo in 2010 as part of a carefully planned breeding program. Malayan tigers are highly endangered.
Mohan the rhino was humanely euthanized after his condition deteriorated due to advanced age. Mohan was 44 1/2.
Mohan had a decidedly longer tenure at the zoo. He was transferred there from the old Crandon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne in April of 1970. Zoo officials say Mohan had limited mobility and a decreased appetite in recent weeks. In the last 48 hours, the rhino had refused food and had increasingly labored breathing. The decision to euthanize Mohan was made to prevent any future suffering.
"When he went to sleep, he did just that. He just closed his eyes and went to sleep," said Magill. "So if there is some place in the world where I can sign a contract where I can go the same way, I am ready to sign."
