Endangered Amur tiger Malena euthanized at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Zoo officials said Friday that their team of dedicated animal control specialists noticed changes in Malena's appetite and energy levels. Upon further examination, zoo veterinarians learned that Malena's kidneys were not functioning correctly, due to what officials called a 'cancerous process,' which led to life-threatening heart arrhythmias.
Brookfield Zoo to welcome first bachelor gorilla troop this summer
Due to the severity of Malena's ailments, the zoo made the difficult decision to euthanize her.
Malena joined Brookfield Zoo Chicago in 2020 and made history one year later as the first Amur tiger in North America to undergo a successful total hip replacement.
Amur tigers — also known as Siberian tigers — are critically endangered, with fewer than 500 remaining in the wild.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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