Tragic Loss: Young Sumatran Tiger Dies After Bone Obstruction at Zoo
Luna, a 3-year-old Sumatran tiger at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, has died unexpectedly. The incident followed a sudden bout of vomiting, prompting an urgent veterinary response. Staff later discovered a serious obstruction in her throat caused by a knuckle bone.
Luna was born in 2022 at the Oklahoma City Zoo before relocating to Mesker Park Zoo in 2024. On the day of her death, she began vomiting, leading to an emergency examination. A veterinary check revealed a mass in her mid-esophagus, later identified as a knuckle bone.
The bone had lodged in her throat, causing a rupture. Zoo staff attempted to find a facility capable of performing an endoscopy and emergency surgery, but none was available in time. Even if the bone had been removed, the damage was likely already fatal. Investigators believe Luna may not have fully chewed the bone before swallowing, leading to the obstruction.
The loss of Luna has left zoo staff and visitors without one of their youngest Sumatran tigers. The incident highlights the risks of even routine dietary items when not processed correctly. Mesker Park Zoo has not announced any further changes to its animal feeding protocols.
