Known as the “supermodel of the tiger building,” Melati arrived at the Dallas Zoo in 2009 and was euthanized last week due to age-related kidney disease.
DALLAS — The Dallas Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved tiger.
Melati, a Sumatran tiger and the oldest of her kind in the Sumatran Tiger Species Survival Plan, was humanely euthanized last week at the age of 20 following a decline due to age-related health issues. Initial necropsy results indicate she had kidney disease, a condition commonly seen in aging cats.
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Melati arrived at the Dallas Zoo in 2009 and quickly became a favorite among the zoologists who cared for her. Known affectionately as the “supermodel of the tiger building,” she was described as beautiful, smart and fiercely independent — always making caregivers work to earn her trust.
Though she never had cubs of her own, Melati had a quiet maternal side. When tiger cubs were being hand-raised at the zoo, she would often choose to spend time nearby, watching over them.
The Species Survival Plan is a program operated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums designed to maintain a healthy population of species in human care. As Melati aged, the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams worked closely together to monitor her health and adapt her care to meet her changing needs. When her condition declined further in recent weeks and began to affect her quality of life, the team made the difficult decision to let her go peacefully.
“Reaching 20 is an incredible achievement for a tiger, but for Melati, those years also represent the many people who knew her and were committed to giving her the best possible life,” the zoo said.
For those who cared for her, the loss runs deep, but so does the pride in the life she lived.
“Melati had a personality all her own, and those who knew her best will remember her as a queen in every sense of the word. Rest easy, Melati. You will be deeply missed.”