By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Shoushan Zoo (壽山動物園) announced Tuesday that its longtime white tiger “Zhāo Hǎi” (昭海) has died at the age of 19, marking another loss for the zoo following the recent death of its 52-year-old African elephant “Ali” (阿里).
Zoo officials said Zhao Hai, born on Nov. 24, 2006, reached an advanced age equivalent to about 90 in human years. Since 2019, the tiger had been living with chronic kidney disease common in aging felines. Through close monitoring by veterinarians and keepers, along with tailored diets and hydration management, Zhao Hai maintained a relatively stable quality of life despite ongoing symptoms.
Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau Director Kao Min-lin (高閔琳) said from its prime years as a popular attraction to its later period of medical care and aging, Zhao Hai provided the zoo with valuable experience in caring for elderly Bengal tigers, she said.
Some visitors had previously mistaken the tiger’s thinner appearance in old age for malnutrition, prompting the zoo to install educational displays explaining that such physical changes are normal for senior animals. The materials helped shift public perception toward greater appreciation for the zoo’s long-term care efforts.
Keepers who had cared for Zhao Hai for years recalled approaching the assignment with caution due to the animal’s high profile and unique species. They said daily observation of appetite, activity levels, and health indicators became routine, and over time the bond between staff and the tiger grew to resemble that of family.
The zoo said Zhao Hai died peacefully on Feb. 22 in its familiar enclosure, accompanied by keepers and veterinarians. The body has been sent to the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (國立屏東科技大學) Animal Disease Diagnostic Center for follow-up examination. Officials thanked the tiger for years of companionship and the lasting memories it created for generations of visitors.
Source: Liberty Times
