It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Siberian tiger, Tuga, who left us this week (12/26/2024) at the age of 17. Tuga’s name, meaning “Fast with difficulty” in Russian, proved prophetic early in his life and became part of his remarkable story that captured the hearts of countless visitors over the years.
At 450 pounds, Tuga was our largest Siberian tiger, but his impressive size was matched by his gentle spirit. Born on November 24, 2007, alongside his littermates Sestra and Koshka, Tuga grew from a guinea pig-sized cub into a magnificent ambassador for his species. His name took on special meaning when, at 18 months old, he suffered a broken femur while playing with his brother. His recovery story – involving eight weeks of round-the-clock care, three different casts to accommodate his growing body, and five rolls of duct tape to repair tiger-sized damage to those casts – became a testament to both his resilient spirit and our team’s dedicated care.
As part of our commitment to transparency and animal welfare, we want to share that Tuga passed peacefully in his sleep. Our animal care team had been carefully monitoring his health and quality of life in his senior years, as this attention to wellness is an essential part of our staff’s daily training and responsibilities. While his passing was unexpected, it was mercifully quick, caused by natural age-related changes. Following his passing, we took his remains to Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) in Pullman, WA, for necropsy and a comprehensive examination to understand more about his health. This included testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which came back negative. Throughout this process, our team maintained strict biosecurity protocols – the same careful measures we implement daily – in managing his living space and remains, ensuring the continued safety and well-being of all our resident animals.
Tuga’s legacy lives on in the countless memories he created with visitors who were amazed by his impressive size and learned about the importance of conservation through his story. His life reminds us of the vital work we do in providing lifetime care for wildlife, including comprehensive veterinary care throughout their lives and even after their passing.
For those wishing to honor Tuga’s memory, your continued support helps us maintain our high standards of care for all our resident animals, covering everything from daily care to specialized medical treatments. Your generosity ensures that we can continue providing exemplary care for all our wildlife residents, just as we did for Tuga throughout his 17 years with us.