Photo courtesy of the Dallas Zoo.
The Dallas Zoo recently lost the oldest tiger of the Sumatran Tiger Species Survival Plan.
Melati, a 20-year-old Sumatran tiger, was humanely euthanized last week due to age-related health issues, according to a social media post shared from the Dallas Zoo on Wednesday.
She first arrived at the Dallas Zoo in 2009 and became a favorite among the zoologists that cared for her. She was known affectionately as the “supermodel” of the tiger building.
The veterinary and animal care teams made the decision following her condition declining further in recent weeks. Initial necropsy revealed that Melati had a kidney disease, which significantly affected her quality of life.
After careful evaluation the teams made the decision to make “the most compassionate choice” to prevent any further discomfort and to allow Melati to pass peacefully.
“We are incredibly grateful for the long, remarkable life she lived and for the many years we had with her,” the Zoo said in a statement. “She will be deeply missed by everyone at the Dallas Zoo.”
