Endangered 16-year-old tiger euthanized at Kentucky zoo after ‘unexpected’ decline
After an “unexpected and rapid” decline of a 16-year-old endangered tiger’s health, a Kentucky zoo made the “difficult decision” to euthanize the Sumatran tiger.
Kami Sambal, who came to the zoo in 2022, started to show signs of aging, prompting Louisville Zoo staff to start intensive care for the animal, according to an Aug. 26 news release from the zoo.
Upon further examination, the zoo said it found that his kidneys were declining and that he was anemic, a sign of “underlying cancer such as lymphoma.” Lymphoma is common in older tigers, the zoo said.
These factors led to the zoo’s decision to euthanize Kami.
“Saying goodbye to a member of our extended family is hard, but we always consider an animal’s wellbeing and what’s best for their overall outcome,” zoo director Dan Maloney said in the news release.
Kami is the father of six cubs, including one recently born at the Louisville Zoo on July 23, McClatchy News reported. His young son is bonding with its mother behind the scenes while carrying on his father’s legacy, the zoo said.
His cub’s birth marked the first Sumatran tiger birth at the zoo in over two decades.
There are few Sumatran tigers left in the wild — approximately 400 — and the species is considered critically endangered, the zoo said. They’re exclusive to the island of Sumatra.
On average, these tigers live up to 15 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity, according to National Geographic.
This story was originally published August 27, 2024 at 8:30 AM with the headline "Endangered 16-year-old tiger euthanized at Kentucky zoo after ‘unexpected’ decline."
