redblueamerica.com

Two years prior to being transferred to the too little Big House from Denver to San Francisco, Tatiana, a beautiful and rare Siberian tiger aged 2 1/2 years, was weighing in consistently between 292 and 299 pounds.   Prior to being gunned down during a frenzied escape in which she fatally assaulted a 17 year old, the more adult Tatiana had weighed in at 242 pounds, that is a loss of 50 pounds (about 17% of weight) for a maturing animal in the course of two years!

At the time of leaving Denver, Tatiana was described by her keeper as “Even-tempered animal, socialized, transfers easily, adaptable.”  After the transfer, Tatiana's diet:

"was dropped from six pounds a day, seven days a week. The Denver Zoo says she was in good shape, and that there was no indication she was over-weight when she was sent to her new home. But upon her arrival in San Francisco, zoo records show she was fed less, 36 pounds a week: six pounds six days a week, with the seventh day a "fast day" that is not uncommon in big cat zoo diets. Her weight records show Tatiana lost 20 pounds in her first month in San Francisco."

I haven't yet found if Tatiana had been fed on the fateful day, or if it was a "fast" day.

A year before, Tatiana had mauled a feeder between the bars causing serious injury.  Her rations were increased briefly and then again reduced.

To me, the whole travesty reeks of abuse, cruelty, ignorance, and arrogance on the part of the culprits of the animal zoo at San Francisco, the sanctuary city.  I only hope that The City is forced to pay out the nose for this.  Read the article, view the video, and comment if you like.  Thanks

"Frantic for Food" - Was Attack Tiger Underfed?

http://www.kcbs.com/-Frantic-for-Food---...

It makes me want to know more about the zoo.  How do you feel about zoos in general?  I have usually liked them, but have sensed some animals are treated way beneath the dignity they deserve, especially elephants, large cats, and large lonely primates.  Am I being wussie?