Siberian tiger at Greater Vancouver Zoo dies of lung condition

Staff at the Greater Vancouver Zoo made a shocking discovery on Wednesday when they discovered one of their Siberian tigers had died.

Hani appeared healthy although it was noticed by her keepers that she had been abnormally off her food for day, lethargic, and her behaviour was off.

She was born at Seoul Zoo Korea in May 2011 and arrived at the Greater Vancouver Zoo with her sister, Hana, in June 2012.

A necropsy performed shortly after her death determined that Hani died of a lung condition.

“Hani exhibited changes in the chest compatible with pleuritis, which is an inflammatory process involving the lining of the chest cavity and lungs,” said Dr. Ann Britton, Veterinary Pathologist. “This was associated with circulatory changes in the lung and partial collapse of the lung. Pleuritis is a fairly common problem in domestic cats and is usually a sporadic, non contagious disease affecting one animal in a group.”

Zoos around the world are currently breeding tigers in an effort to save the species from extinction. Tigers are listed as “endangered” conservation status by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species. Tigers are the largest members of the cat family.

In the wild, there are estimated to be as few as 400 to 500 Siberian Tigers living in eastern Russia, although some exist in China and North Korea. Poaching for fur and the rapid loss of habit are the leading reasons for their low numbers.

Featured Image: Greater Vancouver Zoo