A tiger from the Memphis Zoo killed another tiger in Sacramento when zookeepers tried to get them to mate.
Sacramento Zoo officials relayed sad news of the death of their 15-year-old female tiger when she was introduced to a male tiger on February 10.
Zoo officials made the announcement via a Sacramento Zoo blog post.
The male tiger, Mohan, became aggressive with the female, Baha, during an introduction on the morning of the female’s death.
Staff had been monitoring the introduction of the animals and were able to get Mohan away from Baha immediately following the encounter; however, they were unable to rush treatment for the female prior to her death.
“We are truly devastated at the passing of Baha” said Matt McKim, Animal Collection Director. “Not only was she a wonderful ambassador and a truly attentive mother, she was also a one-of-a-kind tiger that inspired many.”
Mohan arrived at the Sacramento Zoo in December 2015, and staff had been monitoring both cats in advance of introducing the two later.
“Both tigers’ behavior indicated that this was the proper time for physical introductions,” staff wrote in the blog. “Based on knowledge and experience from past successful introductions, staff decided to physically introduce the tigers on Wednesday morning.”
Staff had planned to introduce the two tigers as part of improving the health and genetic diversity of the animals.
Baha had been at the Sacramento Zoo since 2002 and has five living offspring from three previous successful breeding introductions that are at other Association of Zoo and Aquarium (AZA) accredited zoos.
