POWELL – Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating the life of Irisa, one of the female Amur tigers at the Columbus Zoo. This morning veterinary health staff and authorities made a decision to humanely euthanize her this morning, as her health had recently and significantly declined after receiving long-term care for acute leukemia.
According to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, ” During a routine exam in January 2019, it was revealed that she had an extremely low white blood cell count. Following this result, another exam and extensive testing were performed to determine the cause of the abnormal bloodwork. A bone marrow aspirate collected during this time confirmed the diagnosis of acute leukemia. Although medical management protocols exist for treating leukemia in animals, they have side effects that require close monitoring, and often delay but do not prevent the progression of the disease. The decision was made to provide Irisa with the opportunity to continue her normal routine under the watchful eyes of her caregivers for as long as she was comfortable.”
Irisa was one of the first residents of the Columbus Zoo Asia Quest in 2006, she was transfered from Louisville zoo. Irisa being a critically endangered species was able to help expand her species by giving birth to two litters of babies.
Amur tigers are from the far east of Russia.
