Email out to ZSL members this morning reports that unfortunately tiger cub Loki's seizures continued to worsen, and he was PTS yesterday afternoon (Thursday 24th Feb)
ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2022
- Thread starter Red Footed Tortoise
- Start date
RIP Loki
It’s sad to hear that just 10 weeks after his birth, London Zoo are morning the loss of their Sumatran tiger cub.
Loki’s birth brought light to the team following the tragic loss of Melati, who died three years ago this month; and although his life was short, his story was followed by thousands around the world - including several of us on ZooChat.
While we’re realists and more educated on the facts than the general public, I know many of us were hoping for a successful outcome to his treatment.
I wish all those who cared for him my best wishes during this sad time. They can at least take comfort in the knowledge they gave 100% to his care and had his welfare at the heart of every decision made, including the one to release him from his pain.
It’s sad to hear that just 10 weeks after his birth, London Zoo are morning the loss of their Sumatran tiger cub.
Loki’s birth brought light to the team following the tragic loss of Melati, who died three years ago this month; and although his life was short, his story was followed by thousands around the world - including several of us on ZooChat.
While we’re realists and more educated on the facts than the general public, I know many of us were hoping for a successful outcome to his treatment.
I wish all those who cared for him my best wishes during this sad time. They can at least take comfort in the knowledge they gave 100% to his care and had his welfare at the heart of every decision made, including the one to release him from his pain.
Loki
12/12/2021 - 24/02/2022
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12/12/2021 - 24/02/2022
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
What a pity. Sad news.
Sad outcome, yet kind of expected this.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
Hi regarding the Gorillas I would relocate Gernot to a bachelor group. Meanwhile I would retain Alika as a Mum and Daughter would make the troop more cohesive. I hope London receive a new Female maybe Maise from Blackpool or Boula from Port Lyme.
Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
Sad news. I didn't expect this to be the outcome of the situation.
IMO it’s not worth the risk, particularly with this pair’s offspring history.
Either keep them as a retired pair or ask the EEP to start afresh. The risks are far too high getting a new breeding female alone what with this particular male’s history.
Retiring Asim and Gasha to a small zoo/wildlife park makes sense and should not necessarily be perceived as defeat.
It’s commonsense to have a young genetically healthy breeding pair replace them given the size of London Zoo’s facilities. It’s a world class exhibit, never better utilised then when they have a breeding pair.
Asim and Gasha previously produced triplets where the cubs all died before the age of eight weeks of causes unknown. Factor in the genetic issues with another cub, who was euthanised because he was born with a white tail, it’s surprising they bred with this pair again. I suppose they took what female was available and who they believed could be paired safely with Asim following his history.
They *really* couldn't have just stuck with Jae Jae and Melati?
Semen collection is easy enough to do, but success with AI in this species has been limited. One of the many complicating factors is that tigers are induced ovulators via natural mating.
It was trialled unsuccessfully on two females at the Point Defiance Zoo in 2019, where they noted that there had only been four previous successes worldwide (across many attempts).
Looking at his pedigree, Asim has several well represented ancestors on both sides. He has several half siblings as well as a full brother who sired cubs in 2015.
What a top notch pair that was! I’ve seen plenty of male tigers, but Jae Jae was something special.
I believe the original idea was to swap mates between Ree PS and ZSL to increase genetic diversity of the population in general. Jae-Jae didn’t get to Ree park due to contentions regarding the suitability of tiger enclosure ( Ree park are no longer allowed to house tigers ). From this i can surmise that Asim is of no bigger genetic importance than his counterparts, given the risks involved with introducing him to new mates, this breeding was a consolation opportunity and wasn’t necessary for the breeding programme. Again particularly as the breeding programme didn’t have facilities for Loki’s full brother. I’d agree it would be best for all parties to retire the animals. Though i don’t see why they need to move, cubs whilst delightful aren’t the be all and end all.
Maybe so, but they bring in the £££’s and it’s easy publicity.
So where did Jae Jae end up?
London’s exhibit lends itself to a breeding situation as it’s large enough to accomodate the offspring into adulthood. Assuming they can be kept as a cohesive unit, this maximises the use of the space within the breeding programme.
Auckland Zoo have clearly taken inspiration from London’s exhibit as they’ve gone for a similar design. Their intention is to import a breeding pair, with cubs accommodated into adulthood if necessary.
I hope Asim and Gasha are retired together and a younger pair brought in.