The Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary announced the death of its 20-year-old Bengal tiger. The tiger, known as Sheila, had been a fan favorite at the Locust Grove animal refuge since 2019.
“A few nights ago, her aging body, weary from the battles it had fought, could no longer carry on, and she passed away peacefully in her sleep,” leadership explained in a statement announcing the tiger’s death last week.
Sheila experienced a loss in appetite in July — raising concerns for those who work at the Locust Grove site.
“Our devoted team, including a specialized exotic vet, rallied to her side,” according to the news release. “A thorough health check and examination revealed kidney issues. She was put on new medications, and her arthritis medication was increased.”
The Bengal tiger’s health seemed to be improving with her appetite, energy, and mobility returned, and leadership believed it to be “a glimpse of the vibrancy that lay within her aging body,” according to the news release.
“For the past several weeks she could be spotted on top of her den, resting comfortably in front of her misting fans, and even splashing in her pool,” it states. “Despite her improved condition, and the very best of care, Shelia had reached an age beyond her life expectancy.”
According to the Wilderness & Environmental Medicine website, the Bengal tiger has a lifespan of eight to 10 years in the wild; however, the life span increases up to 20 years in captivity.
Sheila was rescued from the confines of a traveling circus trailer.
“Her earliest memories were tainted by the harsh realities of a traveling circus, where she was subjected to a life of exploitation,” according to Noah’s Ark. “But fate had bigger plans for her.”
As Sheila became acclimated with her habitat at the Noah’s Ark facility, the once frightened tiger — who was even afraid to roam in the greenery of her habitation — adjusted well enough to grow the friendship she had with Suki, another tiger that was rescued with Sheila in 2019.
“Rescued from the clutches of her tormentors, Sheila found compassion and care replaced the chains of her past,” the news release states.
“At Noah’s Ark she discovered the meaning of freedom — the rustling leaves underfoot, the gurgling sound of a stream behind her habitat, the warmth of the sun on her back, and the gentle camaraderie of fellow rescued souls.”
Credit: Henry Herald
Credit: Henry Herald
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