I'm afraid I have some devastating news to share. We lost our beloved Tacoma last night. Many of you already know what he's been through this year, but for those who don't, he was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and arthritis early this year, and we flew two vets in from Canada to perform a denervation surgery on him - no one in the U.S. had done this surgery on a tiger before, and they had. The surgery seemed to go well, and Tacoma slowly got stronger. However, during his recovery, he also contracted the canine distemper virus that we are fighting. This made him even weaker, and although we have tried everything to help him, including all the distemper treatments AND his own physical therapist doing water therapy with him in his pool (we built a specialized harness and lift system to get him in and out of his pool), he continued to weaken. Last night, the decision was made to have our veterinarian come out and end Tacoma's struggle. However, as the vet was there, before he had done anything to Tacoma, Tacoma simply slipped away. His fight is over, but ours is just beginning. Each of these losses has been devastating to us, but Tacoma is extremely special to Vicky, our founder and president. She is going to need good thoughts and prayers from every one of us to make it through this. In our own terrible grief, we are going to have to help her, and to be honest, I'm not sure how. Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers.
I remember how much Vicky loved Tacoma and I understand that Barbara loved him very much too. My heart and prayers go out to both ladies. I know how much it hurts to lose a beloved animal...eventually the horrible pain goes away and all that's left is wonderful memories of time spent together.
God bless you Tacoma...may you find peace and love in Heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You are no longer sick--just wild and free with your ISE tiger family. Be free, Tacoma. Be free.
Collin County News
Collin County News
7th big cat dies at In-Sync Exotics from virus
WYLIE, Texas (AP) — A tiger described as the "soul" of a North Texas animal sanctuary has become the seventh big cat to die from an outbreak of a fatal virus.
A spokeswoman for In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center in the Dallas suburb of Wylie said Tacoma died Sunday night. Lisa Williams says Tacoma, a 15-year-old who weighed in excess of 400 pounds, is the sixth tiger killed by canine distemper. A lioness also had died.
More than a dozen other big cats are still suffering from the virus. Experts believe raccoons likely started the outbreak by crawling around the large outdoor cages.
Williams says the death of Tacoma is particularly difficult because he had been with the sanctuary for more than a dozen years.
A spokeswoman for In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center in the Dallas suburb of Wylie said Tacoma died Sunday night. Lisa Williams says Tacoma, a 15-year-old who weighed in excess of 400 pounds, is the sixth tiger killed by canine distemper. A lioness also had died.
More than a dozen other big cats are still suffering from the virus. Experts believe raccoons likely started the outbreak by crawling around the large outdoor cages.
Williams says the death of Tacoma is particularly difficult because he had been with the sanctuary for more than a dozen years.
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