Racine Zoo tiger 'Anya' passes away at age 16

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Racine Zoo is mourning the loss of one of their Amur tigers. The zoo announced Friday, Sept. 17, the passing of 16-year-old tiger, Anya. 

According to a news release, Anya was undergoing a routine sedation exam to check on her overall health, check bloodwork, and give her injections for her arthritis when she was lost to complications during the procedure. Subsequent testing showed that Anya was suffering from
advanced stages of lung cancer, leading to the complications. With an average life span in the wild of 10 – 14 years, Anya was a senior cat and unfortunately, cancer is not uncommon in older big cats.

The zoo says staff are grieving the difficult loss, but happy that they were able to provide Anya with a wonderful “retirement home” for the later half of her life.

Anya came to the Racine Zoo in 2015. She was born at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina. Anya was a member of the largest species of cats and one of the most critically endangered animals in the world, with only about 500 thought to remain in the wild.

Anya is survived by Naka, the Zoo’s other Amur tiger, who is currently 17 years old and also considered a geriatric cat. Both tigers, as with all animals at the Zoo, are seen routinely by the Racine Zoo veterinary team, who are also currently monitoring Naka’s health daily as she continues to enjoy her golden years.