The Toronto Zoo says it has made the “most difficult” choice to euthanize Hari, an elderly Sumatran tiger whose kidneys started to fail.
At 17 years old, Hari was considered elderly, as he surpassed the average lifespan of his wild counterparts, zoo officials said.
Hari has been a fixture at the Toronto Zoo since 2011, after he moved from the San Diego Zoo.
The zoo’s veterinary staff started to observe Hari’s condition, but despite their best efforts, it worsened.
“Kidney failure is challenging to manage in aging large cats, gradually affecting energy levels, appetite, and overall organ function,” officials wrote in a post online.
After assessing Hari’s quality of life, the zoo said they made the “compassionate” choice to euthanize him in a “final medical act of kindness to spare him unnecessary suffering.”
“Euthanasia is one of the most difficult, yet most compassionate, decisions we face in caring for more than 3,000 animals at your Toronto Zoo,” the Facebook post reads. “It 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.”
This decision, the zoo says, was made in careful consideration of the tiger’s health, behaviour, and quality of life, as well as long-term prognosis. A post-mortem determined Hari suffered renal disease and had additional abnormalities that suggested he had cancer.
“(Hari) will be fondly remembered for his laid-back demeanour, his deep love of food, and his beloved barrels, which he would often drag along and even bring to bed with him,” officials wrote.
“His moans, low grumbles, and soft chuffs, especially when greeting Kemala, will echo in our memories. With his stunning looks and unmistakable presence, Hari truly embodied the beauty of the Sumatran tiger.”
While Hari commanded attention in his habitat, the zoo said his presence was far-reaching due to his participation in an internationally managed breeding program created to sustain critically endangered species like himself.
There are fewer than 500 Sumatran tigers left in their natural habitat in Indonesia, the zoo says, and the loss of even one in the wild is “deeply significant” for their species.
For its part, the Toronto Zoo says its Wildlife Care team has travelled to Sumatra, Indonesia, to support the local conservation efforts with the Sumatran Ranger Project, which aims to prevent human-wildlife conflict.
“Hari’s life mattered not only to those who cared for him, but to broader conservation efforts aimed at protecting wildlife at risk. His presence as an ambassador for his wild counterparts helped inspire awareness, action, and support for the protection of Sumatran tigers and the forests they call home,” zoo officials said.
