San Francisco Zoo and Gardens announced on Thursday the death of their "beloved" 18-year-old Sumatran tiger "Leanne."
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Leanne, named after the late San Francisco Zoological society and philanthropist Leanne Robert — first wife of billionaire George Robert — was born at the Toronto Zoo in 2003 and transferred to the San Francisco Zoo in 2006, where she stayed the remaining over 15 years of her life, zoo officials said in a press release.
With an age of 18 years and 8 months at the time of her death, Leanne outlived her species' life expectancy by more than eight years.
Necropsy results are still pending, however officials said her health had been declining recently.
"We truly are heartbroken over the loss of elegant Leanne, the matriarch of our Sumatran tiger breeding program," Tanya M. Peterson, CEO and Executive Director of San Francisco Zoological Society, said. "She was a wonderful animal in all ways and was instrumental in helping us and other zoos conserve this critically endangered tiger subspecies. Not only were her markings
uniquely stunning, but she was a charismatic individual who captured the hearts of millions of SF Zoo visitors during her long tenure here. She will be sorely missed."
Only between 400 and 600 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild and that total is declining, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. Zoo officials described Leanne as "an important ambassador for the critically endangered species and her legacy lives on through her grandchildren."
One of her children, Jillian, achieved local fame in 2014 when her naming rights were auctioned off at a fundraiser of late legendary comedian Robin Williams.
In addition, officials noted the accumulated knowledge from scientist and doctors working with Leanne over the years "contributed greatly to what is known about tiger breeding and nutrition."
"Leanne was a favorite of staff because of her willingness to participate in conditioning exercises, yet zoo visitors loved her because she would sleep on her heated rock located next to a viewing window. Even in her old age, she loved to play, and one of her favorite toys was a green boomer ball," Ron Whitfield, the zoo's Curator of Carnivores, said.
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