Pittsburgh Zoo's oldest tiger dies from hernia complications

Credit: Michael Henninger

Credit: Michael Henninger

Taiga, the zoo's oldest male tiger, died Thursday afternoon due to "complications from a diaphragmatic hernia," the Pittsburgh Zoo said in a release.

The zoo said Taiga had been “immobilized” Thursday morning for a declaw clip and had recovered from that routine procedure, but he suddenly passed away after.

>> Read more trending news

Necropsy results showed Taiga had a hernia within his stomach and intestines in the chest cavity, which impeded his breathing, the release said.

The zoo said Taiga’s hernia had been present “for some time.” X-rays taken eight months ago showed no abnormalities in his chest.

About the Author