Image courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo

Rolling Hills Zoo announced the passing of Andrea, its beloved female Amur tiger, following a decline in her health due to age. Despite care and monitoring, Andrea’s quality of life had diminished, and zoo staff made the decision to humanely euthanize her.

Born April 28, 2008, at the Saint Louis Zoo, Andrea lived 17 years and 5 months, surpassing the typical 10–15-year lifespan of Amur tigers. She came to Rolling Hills Zoo in 2016 from the Indianapolis Zoo under a breeding recommendation from the Species Survival Plan® (SSP), which works with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos to maintain healthy, genetically diverse animal populations.

Andrea gave birth to three cubs at Rolling Hills Zoo and one at Indianapolis, playing a vital role in sustaining the Amur tiger population. Her contributions helped preserve this critically endangered species and will remain a lasting part of the zoo’s conservation legacy.

Andrea will be remembered by everyone who knew her and by visitors to Rolling Hills Zoo.

“Andrea was a great companion to the other tigers living at RHZ.  She was also an attentive mother to the three cubs that were born here. She easily captured the hearts of anyone that had the privilege of taking care of her,” shared Vickie Musselman, RHZ Registrar.

“Andrea was very patient with the keepers when it came to training, especially those just starting out,” said Kira Noda, RHZ Associate Curator. “She always had a calm and confident demeanor in everything that she did. My favorite activity with Andrea was feeding time —as she would sit patiently waiting for you to feed her.  Andrea will be greatly missed by everyone that has cared for her while at Rolling Hills Zoo.”

More information about Rolling Hills Zoo can be found here.