Tiger Euthanized at Dickerson Park Zoo After Tumor Found

Summary:

SPRINGFIELD, MO – The staff at Dickerson Park Zoo in Missouri announced the death of Cinta, a 12-year-old Malayan tiger. Cinta’s caregivers said Monday they noticed he was lethargic and not interested in food.

After being anesthetized, he was transported to the zoo hospital for an exam. “Cinta’s exam showed him to be anemic,” Head veterinarian Stephanie Carle said. “An ultrasound revealed his abdomen was full of blood from a bleeding tumor.” During emergency surgery, the team discovered the tumor was not removable and decided to euthanize him, the veterinarian said. “While pathology reports will reveal more, we do know this type of cancer was fast-growing. It was not present at Cinta’s exam last December,” Carle said.

The veterinary team said that when the tumor is removable, the patient typically lives only one to six months with chemotherapy.

Action take by Born Free USA:

Notes: