Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Necropsy results in for rare tiger who died at Zoo Atlanta recently

Emerson, a rare Sumatran tiger at Zoo Atlanta, died in November.
By Becca J G Godwin
Dec 19, 2017

Necropsy results for Emerson, the 10-year-old male Sumatran tiger who died at Zoo Atlanta in November, show that he had cancer of the bile duct.

Results also showed the cholangiocarcinoma had metastasized to his abdomen, which caused the symptoms the zoo’s veterinary team had been treating prior to his death, according to a press release.

The tiger had been showing signs of lethargy and a declining appetite.

READ: APD creates position to investigate animal cruelty and reduce attacks

READ: Zebra, monkey — and now tiger — among Atlanta's weird animal sightings

A necropsy is the animal equivalent of an autopsy. It was performed through Zoo Atlanta’s partnership with the University of Georgia Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Emerson's death was one of a few recent blows to Atlanta's animal community. Also in November, the calf of a beluga whale who went into labor at the Georgia Aquarium did not make it through delivery.

Chantek, a 39-year-old male orangutan known around the world for his ability to use American Sign Language to communicate, died at Zoo Atlanta in August. 

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Emerson, a rare Sumatran tiger at Zoo Atlanta, died in November.
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Becca J G Godwin
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