It has been a bad start to the week and year for one Florida zoo as two of their larger animals both die on the same day.
The Miami Herald reported Tuesday a tiger and a rhinoceros died at Zoo Miami on Monday.
First, a 12-year-old Malayan tiger named Tevy was found dead in its enclosure. Later in the day, an Indian rhinoceros named Mohan had to be euthanized.
Zoo spokesman Ron Magill said zookeepers had noticed Tevy acting lethargic about a month ago. She recovered but began suffering from the same symptoms last week.
During an exam Sunday, veterinarians discovered that the tiger was severely jaundiced, and a course of treatment was planned. She died before completing treatment.
A necropsy performed Monday showed Tevy died from advanced liver failure. More tests are being performed to determine the definitive cause of death.
Tevy was born February 28, 2000 at the Cincinnati Zoo and arrived at Zoo Miami from the Knoxville Zoo in 2010 as part of a carefully planned breeding program. Malayan tigers are highly endangered.
Magill says Mohan the rhino was already dealing with failing problems. By Monday, the animal had trouble breathing and standing and had to be put down.
The rhino had been retired from public display for several years and was living in a quarantine area.
Magill says that 44-year-old Mohan was believed to be the oldest living Indian rhinoceros in captivity. Mohan had been at Zoo Miami since 1970.
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