Winnie the white tiger, one of two at the Singapore Zoo, dies at age 14

Bengal white tigers Omar, Jippie and Winnie at the Singapore Zoo in 2001. Winnie, one of the Singapore Zoo's remaining two white tigers, was put down as it had been suffering from a worsening tumour in its jaw bone. -- PHOTO: ST FILE
Bengal white tigers Omar, Jippie and Winnie at the Singapore Zoo in 2001. Winnie, one of the Singapore Zoo's remaining two white tigers, was put down as it had been suffering from a worsening tumour in its jaw bone. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - One of the Singapore Zoo's two white tigers has died.

In a statement issued on Monday, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) said its "beloved" white tiger Winnie died on Aug 12.

It had been terminally ill with a worsening tumour in its jaw bone, and the zoo's veterinary team decided to euthanise it to prevent further suffering.

The zoo's vets had been caring for it over the past few months to ensure its quality of life was maintained, added the statement.

Winnie lived for 14 years, 10 months and 16 days, comparable to wild tigers whose average lifespans are between 10 and 15 years, according to WRS.

It is survived by its brother Omar. Winnie was born in captivity in Taman Safari, Indonesia, before arriving at the Singapore Zoo on April 6, 2001, at the age of 19 months.

Jippie, another of the zoo's white tigers, was put down in March 2012 as it was terminally ill.

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