Perth Zoo announces death of 17-year-old Sumatran Tiger, Jaya

Perth Zoo’s Sumatran Tiger, Jaya, has died after a seven year battle with cancer.

His death was announced on Friday night, with Perth Zoo revealing the 17-year-old had to be euthanised after his keepers noticed he was “behaving abnormally”.

“This week, keepers noticed Jaya was behaving abnormally so he was taken to our Veterinary Hospital for a full work-up,” Perth Zoo wrote in a Facebook statement.

“After a physical exam, it was apparent that he could no longer experience an acceptable quality of life.

“We’re heartbroken, but the best welfare decision was to give him a dignified end and say goodbye.”

The animal was diagnosed with an ectopic thyroid carcinoma in 2018 and was only expected to live another nine months after requiring surgery.

Zookeeper Jenna Hollamby said it was a privilege to care for the beloved tiger.

“It’s going to be very hard to accept he’s gone,” she said.

“His favourite thing to do was get his keepers to jump — then he would trot off so proudly. But it was just as endearing to see his look of disappointment if you foiled his plans last minute.

“But he did have a soft side and would choose to sit with his keepers on balmy afternoons in the sun, licking his paws and watching the world.”

Keeper Laura said Jaya was the “perfect combination of spicy and sweet”.

“Over the last few years, he had become a completely different tiger to the one that keepers used to know.

“While he still had the natural instincts of an apex predator, he proved that old animals could learn new things, building strong keeper bonds, and progressing a repertoire of cooperative care behaviours.”