Rocky, the Cape May County Zoo’s beloved Siberian Tiger, died on Saturday, officials said. Though Rocky had been cancer-free since early 2015 after three surgeries to remove tumors from his rear right leg and a round of chemotherapy, he began experiencing other health problems in recent months.
“Rocky was a rock star and held celebrity status at the Zoo for many years,” Cape May County Freeholder E. Marie Hayes said in a statement. “He was a magnificent animal that delighted visitors to the zoo from the time he arrived until his passing.”
The 16-year-old’s difficulties began in his hips and hind legs as he lost muscle mass and was a bit unsteady when walking, Cape May County officials said. By last week, the bones in his hind legs deteriorated and made it even more difficult for the tiger to walk.
Veterinarians finally concluded that the combination of a degenerative condition in Rocky’s spine, osteoarthritis in his hips and complications from the multiple surgeries in his right hind leg made it necessary to euthanize him, officials said.