Colchester just announced the death of Sasha the white tiger - the cause is yet to be determined.
Colchester Zoo Death of Sasha - white tiger
- Thread starter OrangePerson
- Start date
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
Sad news but we all kind of new that it would happen sometime over the next few months after his illness
Very sad indeed
Am I going to be the first to say though (and don't call me cruel or cold hearted), but it is likely that this is for the best?
From what I've read, it is plain that he was suffering, and now he is free of that. We all realised deep down that this was going to happen soon, so it is probably a relief to all of the staff and regulars alike not to have the worry and concern hanging over them like a black cloud, now they can get on and grieve, and (this is likely to sound coldest of all, but no less viable) - Colchester can now use the space and the enclosure for either pure tigers or any other species that will benefit from the conservation efforts.
Please, I hope that doesn't sound horrible for me to say since this is obviously tragic (and since I'm [unfortunatly] not a regular maybe it is not as hard on me)
Rest in peace Sasha, a beautiful white tiger
Am I going to be the first to say though (and don't call me cruel or cold hearted), but it is likely that this is for the best?
From what I've read, it is plain that he was suffering, and now he is free of that. We all realised deep down that this was going to happen soon, so it is probably a relief to all of the staff and regulars alike not to have the worry and concern hanging over them like a black cloud, now they can get on and grieve, and (this is likely to sound coldest of all, but no less viable) - Colchester can now use the space and the enclosure for either pure tigers or any other species that will benefit from the conservation efforts.
Please, I hope that doesn't sound horrible for me to say since this is obviously tragic (and since I'm [unfortunatly] not a regular maybe it is not as hard on me)
Rest in peace Sasha, a beautiful white tiger
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Colchester Zoo has been trying to ring me today so i guessed he had sadly died!
Thats my partners christmas present, our adoptions, I do Sasha for him he does Rajang for me
He was a lovely, grumpy stubborn old brute, I was never sure if my partner liked him for his similar personality or the fact he didn't approve of his mate and ripped her throat out
But he will be missed he was always the last animal we revisited on our way out RIP your bellowing will be missed for miles around the zoo
Thats my partners christmas present, our adoptions, I do Sasha for him he does Rajang for me
He was a lovely, grumpy stubborn old brute, I was never sure if my partner liked him for his similar personality or the fact he didn't approve of his mate and ripped her throat out
But he will be missed he was always the last animal we revisited on our way out RIP your bellowing will be missed for miles around the zoo
Mr T
Well-Known Member
This is exactly what I was thinking and I don't think it is a cold hearted comment at all.
RIP Sasha you will be missed by me.
He was one of the zoos most iconic animals Colchester is going to be a differnt place without him. However I'm very interested to know what that area will be used for.
He was one of the zoos most iconic animals Colchester is going to be a differnt place without him. However I'm very interested to know what that area will be used for.
LOL, I like your use of humour.He was a lovely, grumpy stubborn old brute, I was never sure if my partner liked him for his similar personality or the fact he didn't approve of his mate and ripped her throat out
Thanks Mr. T
- I was worried about posting in case it seemed insensitive, but at least I'm not the only person thinking it. I want to ask what the plans are now, but I'm going to leave it a few days if I do.
Paulkarli08
Well-Known Member
Perfect enclosure for the Sun Bears perhaps?
Could be, I can't remember what it's like to be honest. I would imagine though that they already have an area earmarked for them?
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
That was what i was thinking it would suit them?
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't worry about posting 'what to do with the enclosure / what species next' posts its to be expected on a site like zoochat that has not got the same sort of zoo fans as say Colchester zoos facebook page!
Am not offended at all although am crying like a baby over a lovely tiger, I am a big softie who no longer keeps any pets as can't take losing them!
Am not offended at all although am crying like a baby over a lovely tiger, I am a big softie who no longer keeps any pets as can't take losing them!
MonkeyGirl86
Active Member
I'm upset too KarenZoo! He was a stunning animal and will be sadly missed by all that knew him, cared for him and visited him.
Although I am upset, it would have been for the best as he was clearly not well and not likely to get better.
I'm not offended by the comments re the enclosure either, as Sasha dying was going to happen at some point and the space needs to be used.
The sun bears are going where the spider monkeys are now though, on the hill by Melena's (amur leopard) enclosure
Although I am upset, it would have been for the best as he was clearly not well and not likely to get better.
I'm not offended by the comments re the enclosure either, as Sasha dying was going to happen at some point and the space needs to be used.
The sun bears are going where the spider monkeys are now though, on the hill by Melena's (amur leopard) enclosure
Surely the sensible option is to stick with one species of tiger, the Amurs and use what is a fairly large and open area of what, in places can be a rather claustrophobic, overwhelming layout of any zoo.
I have never visited Colchester, but looking at pics from the zoo, in the area away from the newer African area, the enclosures do seem very close together, hemmed in, in places, so any available space should be viewed as a good thing.
I hope i have not derailed this thread, or offended any Colchester fans, just my opinion.
I have never visited Colchester, but looking at pics from the zoo, in the area away from the newer African area, the enclosures do seem very close together, hemmed in, in places, so any available space should be viewed as a good thing.
I hope i have not derailed this thread, or offended any Colchester fans, just my opinion.
R.I.P Sasha, you will be missed. He was my favourite animal, white tiger valley just won't be the same.
How about moving Bailey, the male lion, into the now empty enclosure, until a new home can be found. This would mean they can bring in a new male to start breeding the lions.
Also, will they need to rename it Anteater valley for a while?
(It's just a joke, don't think I'm heartless)
How about moving Bailey, the male lion, into the now empty enclosure, until a new home can be found. This would mean they can bring in a new male to start breeding the lions.
Also, will they need to rename it Anteater valley for a while?
(It's just a joke, don't think I'm heartless)
Paulkarli08
Well-Known Member
No point breeding the lions, they are just generic zoo lions, that contribute nothing to a conservation breeding programme.
ZooLeopard
Well-Known Member
R.I.P Sasha, you will dearly missed by everyone who saw you and worked with you! I loved walking past you at the zoo
Re enclosure plans: The sun bears are going on the site of the old fossa enclosure opposite the spider monkeys.
Re enclosure plans: The sun bears are going on the site of the old fossa enclosure opposite the spider monkeys.
@ JR/Mr T - you can count me in as someone whose first thought was 'ooh, big empty exhibit!' as well!
I've been four or five times and think you're bang on with this assessment. I'm expecting them to stick with just the Amur Tigers, and for a different type of animal to take over the old white tiger exhibit. But with Colchester, who knows!
I've been four or five times and think you're bang on with this assessment. I'm expecting them to stick with just the Amur Tigers, and for a different type of animal to take over the old white tiger exhibit. But with Colchester, who knows!
karenZOO
Well-Known Member
Huge praise for Colchester Zoo customer service, who managed to get hold of me in the evening, after what must have been a very upseting and difficult afternoon.
Although they must have rung loads of people to tell them the sad news, they were still prepared to go through every detail of Sasha illness and any information they had on his death. Sasha and Rajang are their most popular adopted animals and have no idea on numbers as not every adoption package includes a plaque on the enclosure.
They handled giving the bad news in such a sensitive way and also their approach to the transfer of my partners adoption to another animal in time for Christmas.
Well done Colchester, I think this is another reason why I love Colchester zoo as they always make you feel a part of the zoo, and not just money coming through the turnstiles as I have felt at other zoos!
Although they must have rung loads of people to tell them the sad news, they were still prepared to go through every detail of Sasha illness and any information they had on his death. Sasha and Rajang are their most popular adopted animals and have no idea on numbers as not every adoption package includes a plaque on the enclosure.
They handled giving the bad news in such a sensitive way and also their approach to the transfer of my partners adoption to another animal in time for Christmas.
Well done Colchester, I think this is another reason why I love Colchester zoo as they always make you feel a part of the zoo, and not just money coming through the turnstiles as I have felt at other zoos!
