Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster has announced the passing of Sayan, a 14-year-old Amur tiger, due to a progressive age-related illness. Sayan had been a cherished member of the park since 2011, when she arrived from Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent.
Despite the dedicated efforts of rangers and the veterinary team, Sayan’s condition continued to deteriorate, leading to the difficult decision to euthanize her. The park expressed deep sorrow over her loss, noting her significant role in the park’s community.
Sayan was initially moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park to support the breeding program for endangered Amur Siberian tigers. Remarkably, she survived an incredibly rare and life-threatening reaction to anesthesia during a root canal procedure at just three years old, when her heart stopped for 12 minutes. Thankfully, she made a full recovery.
The park paid tribute to Sayan, stating, “Sayan quickly became a cherished member of the Yorkshire Wildlife Park family and will be deeply missed by all of us. Rest in peace, Sayan.”
The Amur tiger, native to Siberia, is the largest of the tiger subspecies, with only an estimated 400 to 500 individuals remaining in the wild, primarily in the birch forests of eastern Russia.