Edmonton Valley Zoo euthanizes tiger due to age-related health issues
![Taiga the Amur tiger Taiga at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. (Edmonton Valley Zoo/Facebook)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/8/21/taiga-the-amur-tiger-1-7009019-1724261147713.png)
The Edmonton Valley Zoo announced Wednesday that they had to euthanize one of their tigers, Taiga, after her health began to "rapidly decline."
Taiga was an Amur tiger that was brought to the Edmonton zoo as a kitten in 2008 from northern Ontario.
The zoo's team hand-reared Taiga and she was known for her outgoing "personality and goofy nature," according to the zoo.
"She continued to show particular affinity for her care team and always greeted them with a chuff in the morning," the zoo said in a social media post.
"She particularly enjoyed a good scratch through the fence with a back scratcher."
Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are native to eastern Russia and northeast China and are one of the largest species of cats in the world.
They have an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years in the wild and closer to 20 years in captivity, according to the WildCats Conservation Alliance.
Last week, the zoo made "the difficult but humane decision" to euthanize Taiga, who was 16 years old.
Taiga at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. (Edmonton Valley Zoo/Facebook)
"Taiga had been experiencing age-related medical concerns in recent months, including decreased mobility due to osteoarthritis and spondylosis, as well as central vision loss," the zoo said online.
"She was under close observation and care from both her veterinary and zookeeping teams but despite ongoing and increased treatment, her health began to rapidly decline."
The zoo has another tiger, Amba.
"Although Taiga and Amba did not live together - female tigers are generally solitary - they would often greet each other through the fence," the zoo said online.
"Our team will continue to monitor Amba in the days and weeks ahead to ensure she is receiving any additional care she may need during this time."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7034258.1726084302!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'An unfortunate waste of resources': Ontario woman facing criminal charge following water gun incident
A Simcoe, Ont. woman is facing an assault with a weapon charge after she said that she accidentally sprayed her neighbour with a water gun over the Labour Day weekend, a situation that at least one legal expert says amounts to an ‘unfortunate waste of resources.’
Famous Winston Churchill portrait, stolen in Ottawa, is found
Ottawa's Chateau Laurier hotel says authorities have recovered an iconic photograph of Winston Churchill after it was stolen and replaced with a fake nearly three years ago.
Billionaire steps out of SpaceX capsule for first private spacewalk hundreds of miles above Earth
A billionaire kicked off the first private spacewalk Thursday, teaming up with SpaceX on the daring endeavour hundreds of miles above Earth.
Consul general to New York to answer questions over $9M luxury condo purchase
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark will testify on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
What passengers need to know about their rights ahead of a potential Air Canada pilots strike
While Air Canada has shared advice for travellers ahead of a possible pilots strike, an airline passenger rights advocate has more tips for Canadians who may be affected.
Ontario woman misses flight to funeral due to airline ticket typo
An Ontario woman admits she was flustered and stressed trying to book an airline ticket when she found out a close relative had died last month.
Dollarama keeping an eye on competitors as Loblaw launches new ultra-discount chain
Dollarama Inc.'s food aisles may have expanded far beyond sweet treats or piles of gum by the checkout counter in recent years, but its chief executive maintains his company is 'not in the grocery business,' even if it's keeping an eye on the sector.
OPP constable charged after alleged assault at Santa's Village
A woman has been charged with assault following an incident at an amusement park in Bracebridge.
The U.S. presidential debate opened voters' eyes in suburban Philadelphia, and Harris is getting a closer look
In Bucks County, a critical area in a vital swing state, the debate is producing a lot of hard thinking about what to do in November.