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\nHari with a barrel at the Toronto Zoo. | Supplied: Toronto Zoo <\/p>\n
The Sumatran tiger is a critically endangered species with less than 500 remaining in their native habitat<\/p>\n
Last weekend, the Toronto Zoo said goodbye to Hari, a 17-year-old\u00a0critically endangered male Sumatran tiger.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the zoo said\u00a0the \u201ccompassionate decision\u201d was made to euthanize the big cat on Feb. 14 after his kidney function declined.<\/p>\n
Hari was considered a geriatric tiger and lived beyond the average 15-year lifespan of Sumatran tigers\u00a0in the wild, the zoo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kidney failure is difficult to manage in large cats and affects their energy levels, appetite and overall organ function, according to the zoo. Hari was under close veterinary observation and had a quality of life assessment done before the euthanasia\u00a0decision was made.<\/p>\n
\u201cEuthanasia is one of the most difficult, yet most compassionate, decisions we face in caring for the more than 3,000 animals at your Toronto Zoo,\u201d the zoo said. \u201cIt is not a default response or last resort, but a carefully considered medical decision grounded in science, ethics, empathy, and love for the animals in our care.\u201d<\/p>\n
A postmortem confirmed the tiger had kidney disease and additional abnormalities suggestive of cancer, the zoo added.<\/p>\n
Hari arrived in Toronto in 2011 from the San Diego Zoo. He spent his time in an enclosure in the Toronto Zoo\u2019s Indo-Malaya Pavillion and was known for his laid-back demeanour, love of food and his barrels, which the zoo said he would often drag around and even bring to bed with him.<\/p>\n
\nHari with a barrel at the Toronto Zoo. | Supplied: Toronto Zoo
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\u201cWith his stunning looks and unmistakable presence, Hari truly embodied the beauty of the Sumatran tiger,\u201d the zoo said.<\/p>\n
But Hari was more than just a striking presence, he was part of a globally managed conservation breeding program focused on sustaining his species, which is\u00a0critically endangered in the wild.<\/p>\n
Less than 500 Sumatran tigers remain in their native Indonesian habitat. The zoo said throughout Hari\u2019s life, he served as an ambassador of his species, connecting guests to the reality facing Sumatran tigers.<\/p>\n
Members of Toronto Zoo\u2019s wildlife care team have travelled to Sumatra, Indonesia\u00a0to support conservation efforts with the Sumatran Ranger Project. The zoo said the initiative helps protect the endangered species by removing snares, preventing human-wildlife contact, collecting data and supporting sustainable solutions.<\/p>\n
The zoo said Hari\u2019s life mattered not only to those who care for him, but also to broader conservation efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis loss is deeply felt by our staff, volunteers, and the community who came to know him,\u201d the zoo said.<\/p>\n