Sacramento Zoo
Baha, a Sumatran tiger, had been part of the Sacramento Zoo’s collection for 15 years.
A 15-year-old female tiger was killed Wednesday at the Sacramento Zoo by a male tiger once part of the Memphis Zoo’s animal collection.
The two tigers were physically introduced Wednesday morning for the first time since the male tiger arrived in Sacramento in December. It was an attempt to mate the female tiger, Baha, to the male tiger, Mohan.
Sacramento Zoo staff watched the introduction from outside the enclosure. Within the first two minutes of the introduction Mohan, the male, became aggressive. Zoo staff immediately separated the two animals.
Sacramento Zoo
Baha
Mohan, the male, was secured. Then, veterinarians rushed in to care for Baha, the female, “but unfortunately she had already passed,” according to a statement from the zoo.
“We are truly devastated at the passing of Baha” said Matt McKim, Sacramento Zoo’s animal collection director. “Not only was she a wonderful ambassador and a truly attentive mother, she was also a one-of-a-kind tiger that inspired many.”
Baha had given birth to five cubs in her 15 years at the zoo, through a national program aimed at “sustaining healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied species well into the future.” The Sacramento Zoo has housed and introduced tigers since the 1960s.
“Since the arrival of the male tiger in December 2015, staff had been monitoring his and Baha’s behavior daily as they had visual contact with each other,” zoo officials said in a statement. “Both tigers’ behavior indicated that this was the proper time for physical introductions. Based on knowledge and experience from past successful introductions, staff decided to physically introduce the tigers on Wednesday morning.”
Mohan was a part of the Memphis Zoo’s collection from 2006 until he left for California in late 2015.
“We are saddened to hear of the tragic loss at the Sacramento Zoo,” said Memphis Zoo spokeswoman Laura Doty. “We extend our condolences to our friends and colleagues.”
