North American Amur Tiger Population

Mara (0.1) at Columbus has passed away at the age of 18.

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Mara was an Amur tiger with a whole lot of spunk and a heart full of mischief—and we adored every bit of her. Whether she was proudly parading around with a paper bag in her mouth, playfully stealing boxes from her cubs, or tearing into enrichment like it was her job, Mara brought personality and joy to every corner of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

She loved the smell of cinnamon and expensive perfume (both of which were included in her customized enrichment), and she never lost that spark—not even in her golden years. As a mother, she was fiercely protective and deeply nurturing. In 2012, Mara made history by giving birth to the first litter of tiger cubs at the Columbus Zoo in over 25 years, and she went on to raise two more litters, leaving behind a legacy of cubs who carry her spirit forward. Her little ones—Dimitri, Wiz, Morgana, Glinda, Taj II, Ursula, Timothy, George Miller, and Mabelle—are a testament to her strength, care, and loving heart.

Born at the Pittsburgh Zoo in August 2006 and joining our Columbus Zoo family in 2010, Mara lived a remarkable 18 years—the longest of any tiger we've cared for in recent years. Her Care team lovingly supported her every step of the way, closely monitoring her health. With age came mobility issues and recently, her quality of life declined because of this. So, with great compassion, the hard decision was made by the team for humane euthanasia.

Mara was an incredible ambassador for her endangered species and a treasured member of our Zoo family. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew her—and in the future of Amur tiger conservation.

Please join us in celebrating Mara’s extraordinary life. She will be deeply missed, always remembered, and forever loved.
 
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