Showing posts with label Shaka Khan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shaka Khan. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Siberian Tiger 'Shaka Khan' Dies Of Cancer/Zoo Announces Two New Malayan Tigers

NORFOLK — After battling cancer for several months, the Virginia Zoo's 18-year-old Siberian Tiger named Shaka Khan, died in her sleep over the weekend.

Zoo Director, Greg Bockheim says even though her passing was inevitable, it has hit the staff hard.

He says, "It does have a tremendous effect and really is traumatizing to the animal care staff because we really do build those relationships with the animals that has passed away."

Sadly, the Virginia Zoo is riddled with a history of animal deaths over the past decade.

Since 2002, a baby giraffe and her mother, a tiger, a bull rhino, a zebra, several prairie dogs, a baby gazelle, another giraffe, a baboon, and a lion, have all died. Some were health related, others were accidents.

"We report and announce things when they do happen because we're not the only people that are close to these animals but we know that our community and visitorship is also," Bockheim says.

But there is good news, even in the sadness. Virginia Zoo officials shared exclusive information with NewsChannel 3.

Ten days ago, the zoo received two new Malayan Tigers. Kadar and Tahan are 16 months old and are currently in quarantine in Norfolk. They'll be available for public viewing in the spring.

www.wtkr.com

Friday, May 7, 2010

Norfolk Zoo Tiger Dies From Cancer

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk announced that one of its two beloved Siberian Tigers was euthanized Thursday, only three weeks after she was diagnosed with an agressive form of cancer.

Shere Khan was the advanced age of 18 years.

The zoo also revealed that Shere Khan's sister Shaka Khan was diagnosed with a different cancer.

“The entire Zoo family is grief-stricken,” Executive Director Greg Bockheim said.

A lesion on Shere was biopsied on April 16 and the zoo veterinarian determined she had a form of skin cancer, called squamous cell carcinomas . Veterinarian Dr. John Sanginario did not recommend surgergy because of Shere's age and condition.

“Shere Khan and Shaka Khan were among the most popular animals at the Zoo,” Bockheim said. But the tigers have been off exhibit to Zoo visitors since June 2008 for the construction of the Asia – Trail of the Tiger expansion .

Also in April, keepers noticed a growth on Shaka Khan's left elbow. The biopsy determind she had a malignant, slow-growing, low grade fibrosarcoma . The zoo says she is expected to live another 10-12 months.

“We knew the tigers were elderly cats and could only be expected to live a few more years, but no one was prepared to lose them before the Asia exhibit opens,” says Bockheim. “Tigers are an important, highly endangered species native to Asia and are one of the centerpieces of this new exhibit.

www.wavy.com