Castro, the Sumatran tiger that was a popular attraction for years at the Sacramento Zoo, has died.
Zoo officials tell the Sacramento Bee that Castro was euthanized Wednesday when his medical condition worsened. The tiger was diagnosed with lymphoma last year.
The newspaper says at age 16, Castro exceeded the life expectancy for Sumatran tigers. He spent most of his life in Sacramento.
Castro was the oldest breeding male Sumatran tiger in the United States. He and his female companion, Bahagia, have five living offspring that went to other zoos to participate in the Tiger Species Survival Plan.
Their last cub, Castro Jr., now resides at the Los Angeles Zoo.
Fewer than 500 Sumatran tigers are thought to exist in the wild. They are found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Great pic! He is a handsome tiger. Thx for posting! RT @suzyb: Handsome Castro @SacramentoZoo pic.twitter.com/6GthNjQLVp — Sacramento Zoo (@SacramentoZoo) September 29, 2014
