27°c Partly cloudy
18°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Bacterial pneumonia killed tiger at Assiniboine Park Zoo
Mother Kendra sits with her two tiger cubs in the Assiniboine Park Zoo in October, 2011. Reka, one of the cubs, died Aug. 27. (TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES ) Photo Store
The death of Reka, the Amur Tiger who passed away Aug. 27 at Assiniboine Park Zoo, was caused by the sudden onset of a severe case of bacterial pneumonia, according to a report by the zoo’s veterinary team released today.
"Our report concludes that the cause of death was severe, sudden onset, bacterial pneumonia caused by a form of bacteria commonly found in the mouths of members of the cat family," said Dr. Chris Enright, Head of Veterinary Services for the Assiniboine Park Zoo.
"While it is unusual for oral bacteria such as this to result in clinical disease, it can opportunistically cause infections and in this particular case, the bacteria entered Reka’s lungs and resulted in pneumonia," said Dr. Enright. "Testing for canine distemper and other viruses came back negative."
Zoo staff began monitoring Reka on Sunday, August 26 as he was appearing lethargic, had a reduced appetite and showed a discharge from the eyes. Reka was scheduled for a full exam and diagnostics; however he stopped breathing shortly after being tranquilized for the exam and went into cardiac arrest, passing away at approximately 9:55 am on August 27.
The bacteria involved in Reka’s illness is not likely to result in clinical disease in other feline species at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. No other animals have shown signs of illness and are being carefully monitored by the Zoo’s animal care and veterinary staff
Reka was one of two Amur Tigers born at the Assiniboine Park Zoo on July 29, 2011.
Fact Check
Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 48 articles for today)
MP Glover files new version of disputed 2011 election expenses
3:56 PM 0View Related
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Man convicted of drunk driving in Henderson pile-up
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Teen on train tracks from York Landing
- Saskatchewan considering hydro deal with Manitoba
- McMunn & Yates absorbs five McDiarmid locations
- California 'Night Stalker' serial killer Richard Ramirez dies at 53
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- RCMP say woman deliberately murdered her sister with her car
- Jaimie Creasy becomes first woman to graduate from RRC with degree
- Toronto woman dead in rural Manitoba ATV wreck
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Bomber fans wowed by new stadium
- Portage Ave. stretch re-opens after Friday-night bomb scare
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Hailstorm wreaks havoc on Winnipeg garden centre
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Two Winnipeg teens identified as victims of crash
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Father, daughter seriously injured in ATV crash
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Filipino singer Charice comes out as lesbian; Catholic official says she's in identity crisis
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Craig Ferguson adds second show
- Make it look natural; companies work to make packaged foods appear homespun
- McMunn & Yates absorbs five McDiarmid locations
- Teens can join Let It Out Summer Rock Camp
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Scientists meet to discuss weird British weather, say soggy summers likely for a few years
- New Flyer awarded Atlanta bus contract
- Suspect arrested after North End sex assault
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Sobeys gobbles up Safeway
- Priest kept silent about accusations against Storheim, court hears
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Yaz and Yasmin pills linked to 23 deaths, say Health Canada documents
- Geothermal heat coming to some Manitoba First Nations
- Spiralling cost of land raises new home prices
- Jaimie Creasy becomes first woman to graduate from RRC with degree
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Door openers being used to break into garages, police warn
- Province formally opens Mental Health Crisis Response Centre
- Hailstorm wreaks havoc on Winnipeg garden centre
- New rules let customers cancel phone contracts without penalty after two years
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.