'Majestic' critically endangered Sumatran tiger Lucy dies at Jacksonville Zoo
Lucy, a 12-year-old critically endangered Sumatran tiger, died recently at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, where she had been a "beloved" resident since her 2013 arrival.
The cause of her Aug. 17 death was likely sepsis, a bloodborne infection, according to the zoo.
Born at the Oklahoma City Zoo in July 2011, she was one of the first tigers to reside in the Jacksonville Zoo's Land of the Tiger habitat. She had a "majestic presence," according to the zoo.
"Lucy was not just a tiger, but a cherished member of our zoo family," said Kelly Rouillard, director of sales and marketing. "Her playful nature made her a favorite among our guests and her presence inspired countless visitors to become advocates for tigers and wildlife conservation."
Majestic chicks? Actually they're Magellanic penguins hatched at the Jacksonville Zoo
She was "vital" to the zoo's conservation education programs, said David Hagan, chief life sciences officer.
"She helped raise awareness about the plight of Sumatran tigers and the importance of protecting their natural habitats," he said. "We remain committed to our conservation efforts and will continue working tirelessly to advocate for the protection of these animals.”
Native to the isolated Indonesian island of Sumatra, Lucy's breed is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. An estimated 600 or so remain in the wild. In 2017 two Sumatran tiger cubs were born at the Jacksonville Zoo.
What's a bongo? Think antelope with stripes. Check out new calf at Jacksonville Zoo
In the wild, a Sumatran tiger can live 15 to 20 years and tend to live longer in zoos, according to the Wildcat Conservation Alliance. But during her time in Jacksonville, Lucy suffered from "many rounds of illness," Rouillard said.
"Thanks to joint efforts between hospital and animal care teams, along with countless hours of successful treatment attempts from care specialists, she would bounce back," she said. "Our dedicated team of medical experts provided her with the best care throughout her time with us, and we are devastated by her sudden loss."
Despite her health issues, Lucy raised two litters of healthy cubs, including Kinleigh Rose, also known as Nisha, and Rocky and Jaggar. The cubs are now grown and doing well in other institutions.
"She was a dedicated mom, allowing her cubs to jump and play all over her, while also guiding them through the ins and outs of the habitat and trail system," the zoo said.
Kinleigh Rose was the first Sumatran tiger born at the zoo when she arrived in 2015. When she was three months old, she was taken out of public view for a few weeks while she recovered from a broken bone in a hind leg.
bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Zoo's critically endangered tiger Lucy dies at 12
