STAR-ADVERTISER / 2007
Djelita, a female Sumatran tiger who came to the Honolulu Zoo from the San Diego Wild Animal Park in 1992, was euthanized Sunday.
Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
A 25-year-old Sumatran tiger at the Honolulu Zoo was euthanized Sunday due to complications from old age, city officials said.
Djelita, who turned 25 on March 26, was the oldest living tiger in captivity, according to a post on the zoo’s Facebook page.
“Old age catches up to everyone, even animals, and although Djelita had a long and healthy life at the zoo, she was displaying signs that led to a unanimous decision that she was ready to move on,” said Baird Fleming, director of the Honolulu Zoo, in a news release. “The Honolulu Zoo can be proud of its many years of excellent care for Djelita, which was part of a worldwide conservation effort to save Sumatran tigers from extinction.”
Djelita came to the Honolulu Zoo from the San Diego Wild Animal Park in 1992.
The Honolulu Zoo has two other Sumatran tigers, a male named Berani and a female named Chrissie. They are both 16.
The life expectancy for Sumatran tigers is about 12 years in the wild and up to 20 years in zoos, according to the city.