Comments on: S.F. Zoo: Was Tatiana the tiger “frantic for food” when she killed?

By: Sonali

Sonali — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:36:49 +0000

R.I.P TATIANA THE SIBERIAN TIGER WHO IS BORN ON 27 JUNE 2003 IN DENVER ZOO AND MOVED TO SAN FRANCISCO ZOO ON 16 DECEMBER 2005 AND DIED ON 25 DECEMBER 2007! I THINK SHE IS BEAUTIFUL SIBERIAN TIGER! I THINK PEOPLE WHO KILLED HER IS VERY SICK AND SQUEAMISH!

By: Mrs. Neal

Mrs. Neal — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:56:20 +0000

If Tatiana was so under-fed, how do they presume she had the great strength required to even get out??? AND, if she were so hungry, seems to me from my research on tigers, she would have eaten the men. I agree with Ken above- sounds like something the MEN’S attorney would dream up. When will society quit protecting juvenile delinquents and/ or men that act like they are? Alcohol, pot, lies, disrespect for the law, all before and since the attack from those MEN makes it pretty clear they were 100% at fault. I have spent time with a female tiger about Tatiana’s size. They are God’s creatures too and must be treated with respect by all humans. RIP Tatiana.

By: susan Phillips

susan Phillips — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:57:20 +0000

Dear Gary, I am extremely concerned about the KCBS reports about deliberate underfeeding Tatiana and that the vet seems to think that a 20percent weight loss is “normal”. I have owned all sorts of animals from cats to horses, and I also am a volunteer at the Lindsay Wildlife Hospital. We carefully track the weights of all admitted animals, as well as noting how they are feeding, and believe me we would take immediate action about any weight loss and clearly hungry behavior.
I am concerned that the zoo is deliberately underfeeding its animals, perhaps in some attempt to reduce costs, and that a very irresponsible vet is not taking proper care of her patients.
Do you know of any zoo accrediting organization that we can ask to investigate feeding practices involving all of the animals at the zoo? Does the San Francisco ASPCA have the ability to make any such investigation?
We clearly cannot count on the zoo administration or vet to take this action. I feel very sorry for the keepers who repeatedly noted problems and were ignored.

By: Pat in Antioch

Pat in Antioch — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:04:59 +0000

Poor Tatiana’s saga just gets sadder and sadder. While I still believe that the young men involved in the Christmas attack used extreme poor judgment, the zoo seems to be even more to blame. In my opinion, Tatiana was the lone innocent in the case. The report sheds light on many aspects, the first being that if she arrived from Denver in “good” physical shape, WHY was it necessary for her to lose weight? Zookeepers want the cats to be “active and enthusiastic” at mealtime. Might this be for any reason other than to give the spectators more excitement? there was not just one notation in the caretakers comments about Tatiana being hungry, but at least 3. These folks most likely spent more time with the animals than anyone else. Shouldn’t their notes have meant SOMETHING? Hearing words like “anxious”, “unhappy”, “stressed” and “agitated” only gave me a clearer picture of what Tatiana’s (and other animals) lives are like at the SF Zoo. I realize that man is the worst enemy of these beautiful creatures in the wild, but to lock them up in cages and further abuse them under the guise of safety &/or entertainment is reprehensible. I’ve NEVER been a zoo person, and have to wonder if maybe they aren’t better off just being left where they belong-at least then they might stand a chance.

By: BHF

BHF — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:25:42 +0000

We cannot assume that we know what a correct diet is for a captive tiger is supposed to be. Our kids and pets are all overfed. If this tiger were given food every time it seemed to ask for some, then we would be arguing about how fat the tiger was. Before we make judgments on whether Tatiana was underfed we need to hear more about what her ideal weight would be. What is the average weight of a tiger in the wild? Were her displays of discontent solely due to hunger? These are questions that a professional keeper needs to answer.

Then we need to know if her reduced diet contributed to her final actions and by how much. I am still convinced that she was aggravated more by the presence of the three individuals than any other source of irritation.

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:30:22 +0000

So why didn’t this information make it in the initial investigation? It would be important, don’t you think?
Sounds like something the kids laywer would drum up.

By: Janet

Janet — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:20:37 +0000

I have a to agree with the lady above.Poor tatiana was trying to get point across. She was HUNGURY.The zoo keepers should be responsible for keeping notes on these animals. And following threw with instructions from there supervisor when they have abnormal behavior at the Zoo. Remember we are there voices….Need to be aware of the actions of the animal. Normal and not normal behavior is a must in keeping her in healthy atmosphere I believe she was truely upset because no one would reconize her hungury appetite she was having. enough is enough…….

By: Laila

Laila — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:22:44 +0000

If SF Zoo cannot support its imprisoned creatures, then it should be shut down. Denying animals food and allowing them to be unhappy is not acceptable. Since there was a statement in the caretaker’s log about this, then why wasn’t anything done?