(Michigan City, IN) - A tiger who had spentnearly his entire life at Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City has died. The male tiger, Stars, had recently been suffering from chronic kidney disease when the zoo decided to euthanize him. 

 

He was 18.

 

According zoo officials, chronic kidney disease is a common cause of illness and death in older feline species including tigers.  Stars was diagnosed with the disease a few weeks ago and had been closely monitored and treated with medications to keep him comfortable, but his activity and appetite continued to slow. The decision to euthanize Stars was necessary based on his extreme medical condition before his quality of life declined any further.

 

Officials said the tiger was a “favorite of guests and staff.”

 

The life span of tigers in the wild is usually between 10 and 15 years. In human care, or on rare occasions in the wild, a tiger can live up to 20 years.

 

Stars was born at a zoo in Iowa on October 15th, 2004. He had been at the zoo with his brother, Stripes, since 2005.