Photo provided by Paul Kemiel
The Washington Park Zoo mourns the loss of one of its most beloved residents. Stripes, a 20-year-old Bengal tiger who captivated visitors since his arrival, was peacefully euthanized due to age-related health issues.
Stripes had been successfully receiving veterinary care pain management and medication for kidney disease and arthritis, but he recently had shown a rapid deterioration in his health. With his appetite diminished and his activity levels declined, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize, before his quality of life worsened. Final pathology reports would later discover that he was suffering from kidney failure, lymphedema, and cancer which is often found in older tigers.
Stripes celebrated his 20th birthday on October 15th, making him one of the oldest Bengal tigers in human care. In the wild, tigers typically live between 10 and 14 years.
Stripes arrived at the Washington Park Zoo in 2005 along with his brother, Stars, from a zoo in Iowa. Sadly, Stars passed away in 2023 due to complications from Chronic kidney disease.
Stripes was a magnificent animal with a significant legacy at the zoo. He will be deeply missed by our team and the many visitors who participated in the important conservation message he represented over the years. We take great pride in our animal care team, who are dedicated professionals committed to providing the best welfare, husbandry, and medical care for all the animals at Washington Park Zoo. Stripes received exceptional care throughout his life, and his long lifespan is a testament to the dedication to his well-being.
