Sydney Zoo’s Sumatran tiger, Raja, has lived half as long again as he could expect to in the wild. That means he’s experienced challenges of old age that most tigers never will.
Like every other animal in the zoo, he’s constantly monitored and undergoes regular health checks.
18 months ago, Radincon’s x-ray and ultrasound equipment were used to check Raja’s condition.
Big cats, just like their smaller domestic cousins, hide weaknesses and act as if they’re feeling better than they are. But they’re also just as susceptible to age-related conditions like arthritis and kidney disease. Keepers monitor daily behaviour closely, keeping an eye out for signs of pain such as favouring one leg, jumping awkwardly, or not jumping at all. Non-invasive examinations provide additional information, which can confirm suspicions, ascertain how far developed a condition is, or identify unknown issues. All this information is then used to formulate a plan for each animal’s care.
In early 2021, x-rays identified that Raja had arthritis, especially in his elbows and in his spine around the neck. His care since then has included painkillers. While this is fantastic for him, it has made it even more difficult to track progression of the disease by observation alone. Not only is he naturally trying to hide symptoms, but the pain he’s feeling is reduced. So on 2 November 2022, it was time for more x-rays.
Unfortunately, the results showed significant worsening of Raja’s arthritis. Vets and keepers had to review their options.
- As the arthritis progresses, painkillers will become less and less effective. Like other cats, Raja can’t and won’t tell us that he’s in pain, but he is moving less and more carefully.
- Operating isn’t necessarily beneficial for Raja’s comfort levels. For all animals, it’s difficult to explain and encourage the behaviour needed for recovery. With large wild animals like tigers, the challenges are greater.
In the end, the final decision was that it would be cruel to extend Raja’s life and pain any longer. On 16 November 2022, his keeper and the extended team at Sydney Zoo said their final goodbyes.
It’s the same tough decision that pet owners across the world have to face as their loved companions age and become increasingly frail. The only comfort is that the care and attention lavished on Raja enabled him to live such a long life.