Tiger cub from Tulsa zoo admitted to ICU in Tacoma

The cub was moved when his mother at the Tulsa zoo stopped caring for him. The search for a fitting home ended in Tacoma because of their new and elaborate Tiger enclosure but the following release confirms things didn't go as planned.

The Tulsa Zoo is saddened to learn that the tiger cub, Berani, sent to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in October 2012, is in poor but stable condition today following emergency surgery Monday night. The 6-month-old tiger is in “acute respiratory distress,” and is sedated, said Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium General Curator Karen Goodrowe Beck. He is receiving intensive care from a team of zoo veterinarians, with consultation from outside veterinary specialists.

The cause of his initial illness is undetermined, and the veterinary team is working to determine what caused him to fall ill. Berani became lethargic, would not eat and developed a sudden high fever Monday afternoon, Goodrowe Beck said. Zookeepers immediately called zoo veterinarians, who took X-rays and performed an ultrasound, checking for a possible intestinal blockage. “To be cautious, the veterinary team performed an exploratory surgery late Monday,” Goodrowe Beck said.

“There was no blockage, but his gastrointestinal tract appears to be very, very irritated,” said Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium head veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf. “We believe there may be an infectious process going on, but we’re still investigating the root cause of his illness. Following surgery, he developed acute respiratory distress, and we are keeping him sedated and on oxygen therapy.” “Our veterinary and zoological staff are working around the clock to care for Berani,” Goodrowe Beck said.

Four veterinarians, a veterinary technician and multiple other staff members, attended the 74-pound cub through the surgery. Staff kept watch and cared for him through the night. Berani, born Aug. 26 of last year, was sent to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium from The Tulsa Zoo in October to be raised with Dumai, a Sumatran tiger cub born just four days before Berani. Both cubs were single births. Neither was thriving, and each needed hand-rearing to ensure adequate nutrition.

A mother who is inattentive or lacks adequate milk is not an uncommon occurrence with single-cub litters, said Goodrowe Beck, who also is coordinator of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan® for Sumatran tigers. Species Survival Plan® officials for both Malayan and Sumatran tigers determined it would be best for the cubs to be raised together, so they could learn tiger behaviors from each other.

“We are saddened by the news of Berani’s sudden health decline, but we are confident that he is receiving the best veterinary care at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s state-of-the-art veterinary facility,” said Joe Barkowski, Vice President of Animal Conservation & Science at The Tulsa Zoo. “We care for Berani as he is one of our own and our thoughts are with Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium during this time.” The Tulsa Zoo will continue to stay updated on Berani’s condition and hopes the beloved tiger cub will make a full recovery.

About the Zoo: The Tulsa Zoo is a city-owned asset that is managed by Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Tulsa Zoo is currently the largest daily attraction in the region with more than 550,000 visitors per year, generating $25 million in economic impact, $2.5 million tourism and 225 jobs. The zoo’s 20-year Master Plan maps out the zoo’s course to becoming a world-class zoo, with many exciting projects that are “shovel ready.” For information about Tulsa Zoo’s Master Plan, visit www.buildingbeyond.org or contact the zoo at

918-669-6600

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