Dreamworld community in mourning after its oldest tiger Sita dies of kidney disease

DREAMWORLD is in mourning after its oldest tiger, Sita died at the age of 18. The sad news comes less than a year after her brother Sultan passed away. SEE THE TRIBUTE GALLERY AND VIDEO

DREAMWORLD is in mourning after its oldest tiger, Sita died at the age of 18.

The matriarch of the theme park’s tiger family passed away from kidney disease.

Sita, who was born at the park in 1998 and was one of its “awesome pawsome” has been one of the park’s mainstay attractions and a beloved icon for conservation efforts.

Dreamworld’s oldest tiger dies

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Her death comes less than a year after that of her brother Sultan, who also died of kidney disease at age 17

Sita enjoying milk during a stroll around the park before it opens.

Rama is now the only one of the four still kept on Tiger Island.

Dreamworld’s life sciences general manager Al Mucci said Sita will be remembered as a conservation hero for wild tigers.

Sita was born in 1998 at the park. Pics Adam Head

“Site has been a phenomenal ambassador for the plight of the endangered wild tiger, with contributions from her tiger walks and guest photos going directly to funding tiger conservation efforts throughout the world,” Mr Mucci said on Wednesday.

Sita as a baby back in 1998.

Dreamworld says the park’s Wildlife Foundation, founded a year before Sita’s birth, has raised over $2 million for endangered tigers worldwide.

Mr Mucci said while park staff were understandably saddened by the news, they remained focused on preserving a future for wild tigers.

“We cannot let one of the world’s most iconic predators become extinct in the wild,” he said.

Sita playing in her pool Pics Adam Head

Sita kept a watchful eye over the other tigers. Pics Adam Head

How we reported the birth of Sita, October 24, 1998.

First photos of Sita and the rest of the litter.

Sita playing with Bengal tiger cubs, nicknamed Arrow and Anchor.

November 13 1998: Lucy Newton named the cub Sita.