SAINT LOUIS (WSIL) -- The Saint Louis Zoo is mourning the death of one of its beloved tigers.
Kalista passed away at her Big Cat Country habitat on March 27 at 19 years and 10 months old. She had been under treatment for age-related degenerate joint disease for several years. When medical treatment was not sufficient to keep her comfortable and pain free, Animal Care and Veterinary teams jointly decided that euthanasia was the most humane option.
Kalista was an Amur tiger, which are critically endangered. The Saint Louis Zoo participates in a conservation breeding program to ensure their survival. In 2008, at age 7, Kalista gave birth to and raised her first litter � a rare, large litter of five cubs! In 2012 she gave birth to another cub. Kalista’s offspring are very important to the survival of the Amur tiger species.
Before her death, Kalista was the oldest living female Amur tiger in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) North American Species Survival Plan Program (SSP). The average life span for Amur tigers is 14.3 years for females and 16 years for males.
Zoo officials say she was an amazing tigress and will be remembered fondly.
