Skin cancer and deteriorating quality of life forces Singapore Zoo to put down rare white tiger
The animal, named Omar, made headlines in 2008 when he and two other tigers mauled a man to death
A rare white tiger involved in the 2008 killing of a zoo worker has been put down after suffering from skin cancer and joint issues, the Singapore Zoo said Thursday.
Omar, who would have turned 18 in September, or the equivalent of 88 in human years, had been suffering from the cancer for the past three years, zoo operator Wildlife Reserves Singapore said.
“Recent assessment had seen worsening of his health and the difficult decision was made to euthanise him to prevent further deterioration of his quality of life,” the operator said, adding that the tiger also suffered from joint degeneration.
Omar was born in captivity in Indonesia and was brought to Singapore in 2001.
It made headlines in 2008 when a zoo worker apparently committed suicide by jumping into the big cat’s enclosure. The Malaysian man was mauled to death by Omar and two female white tigers as visitors looked on, thinking it was part of a performance.