Endangered Malayan Tiger Cub in "Very Good" Condition

ENDANGERED MALAYAN TIGER CUB OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND IN ‘VERY GOOD’ CONDITION

Veterinarians expect him to be back to playing with his ‘foster brother’ in very soon

TACOMA, WASH. – Endangered Malayan tiger cub Berani was released from the animal hospital at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, where veterinarians say he’s in ‘very good’ condition following a critical illness.

The 6-month-old, 74-pound tiger cub rejoined his “foster brother,” Dumai, behind the scenes in the
Asian Forest Sanctuary this morning. The two are separated by a partition, but they greeted each other with vocal sounds.

“This is an animal who has made an astounding recovery,” head veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf said.

“I would expect him to be back to being super playful very soon.”

Smiling veterinarians and animal care staff members moved Berani from the hospital to the behind-the-scenes off-exhibit area this morning.

He immediately went exploring, nosing around the enclosure, drinking water from buckets, interacting with his keepers and curiously checking out Dumai across the partition.

Veterinarians and zookeepers will continue to keep vigilant watch on Berani, monitoring him for any unusual gastrointestinal issues or signs of distress, Wolf said.

She believes his sudden illness was the result of enterotoxemia. In lay terms, toxins produced by bacteria brought about an infection that sickened the young tiger, Wolf said.

For now, Berani will remain on medicine to aid the function of his gastrointestinal tract, Wolf said.  He also continues to receive antibiotics, and he’ll be on a bland diet for a few days but will be gradually introduced to his normal feeding routine.

A team of three Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium veterinarians and animal care staff members worked around the clock for four days to bring the sick cub back to health.  Outside consultants also provided assistance with care.

Following emergency surgery Monday night, he was in critical condition and suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome.

“Berani’s recovery is a testament to the expertise and dedication of our veterinary and animal care staff,” zoo general curator Karen Goodrowe Beck said.  “We’re thrilled that Berani is recovering so well,” she added.

“We also are very thankful for the outpouring of well-wishes from the community,” Goodrowe Beck said. “They mean a great deal to our staff.”

The cubs – Malayan tiger Berani and Sumatran tiger Dumai – each turned 6 months old in the last few days.  They’ve been hand-reared together since October.

Dumai will be on and off exhibit as he and Berani are reintroduced to one another, Goodrowe Beck said. Berani has a healing surgical incision, and veterinarians don’t want the pair roughhousing just yet, Wolf said.

Berani will remain off exhibit for an undetermined amount of time while he continues to recover.