Three Tigers Dead, Four Others Critically Ill Due to Financial Crisis at Medan Zoo

Author: Dian Kencana
January 15, 2024

A tiger in a cage at Medan Zoo looks skinny and unhealthy. Photo: ANTARA

SEAToday.com, Medan-Three tigers have died within two months at the Medan Zoo in North Sumatra. Among them were two Sumatran tigers, Erha, who was found dead on Friday (11/3) and Nurhaliza on Sunday (12/31), also one Bengal tiger, Avatar, who died in December 2023. Their deaths were suspected to be due to illness exacerbated by a lack of care as the zoo struggled with operating costs. Currently, 10 tigers remain at Medan Zoo. However, four of them are critically ill.

A vet trying to give CPR to a sick tiger to save its life. Photo: BBKSDA Sumut

The North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) assessed that Medan Zoo did not meet the management of conservation institutions, including animal welfare, cage facilities, and environmental management. This was assessed after BBKSDA North Sumatra conducted monitoring of Medan Zoo since April 2023.

Medan Zoo has been experiencing a financial crisis since it was hit by the pandemic, so there are no operating costs to maintain the facilities, and some employees have not been fully paid for almost half a year. In addition, wildlife observers also reported findings of cramped and dirty cages, allegations of animal starvation, high animal mortality, and lack of cage enrichment at Medan Zoo.