Rama the bengal tiger at Dreamworld dies on Gold Coast
DREAMWORLD’S oldest tiger, Rama, has passed away at age 19. The tiger was part of Dreamworld’s first litter born in 1998.
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DREAMWORLD handlers have been left devastated after the death of Rama, their oldest bengal tiger.
The 19-year-old male tiger was humanely put to sleep last night after being recently diagnosed with kidney failure.
Rama was the last surviving member of one of four tiger cubs born in 1998 at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island as part of the ‘Awesome Pawsome’, the park’s first litter.
The beloved big cat is the second tiger to pass away at Dreamworld this year after his sibling, Sita, lost her battle with kidney failure earlier in May at age 18.
Dreamworld’s general manager of life sciences Al Mucci said Rama was a strong-willed and confident cat.
“He was dearly loved by his Dreamworld family and will be remembered for his strong-willed, sometimes cheeky behaviour, and his love of running, jumping and swimming on Tiger Island, as well as strolls with his handlers around the park each morning,” he said.
He said Rama had been suffering from arthritis and his diagnosis of kidney failure meant he was unable to eat his food.
“Experts agreed that it was in Rama’s best interest to not prolong his life any further,” he said.
“After consultation with an external specialist feline veterinarian, steps were taken to humanely bring Rama’s suffering to an end.”
Rama was living out of the spotlight the past year after ‘retiring’ and had not been taking part in the Tiger Island shows.
Mr Mucci said Rama had been an ambassador for wild tigers worldwide and Dreamworld had raised more than $2 million for endangered tigers.
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