‘Playful’ tiger that loved chilling in the pool dies at NC rescue. ‘Incredibly hard’

A “playful” big cat that loved chilling in the pool on warm North Carolina days has died, an animal rescue said.

“The loss of Shira will leave an imprint on us all,” Kathryn Bertok, assistant director of Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, wrote April 17 on Facebook.

Shira the tiger came to the animal center in 2018 after experiencing a “sensitive situation” in another part of the United States. At the North Carolina rescue, she became known for her love of toys.

“Despite her age, Shira is quite playful,” the rescue wrote on its website. “She enjoys running around and exploring her enclosure. She loves new enrichment and basking in her pool.”

Shira, who was 15 years old at the time of her death, spent a lot of time greeting people near the fence of her enclosure — but not always, officials said.

“Shira loves to be sneaky and hide behind platforms, trees, and even water dishes,” the rescue wrote. “She is very curious and is the first one to check things out.”

But recently, Shira began to experience gastrointestinal issues. During a health exam, the rescue said it discovered a heart problem and made the difficult decision to euthanize her.

“Every loss that we have is tough,” spokesperson Louise Orr told McClatchy News in a phone interview. “It’s especially hard on our keepers who are out there every single day making sure our animals are happy and healthy.”

The rescue remembered Shira for her big personality and how she got along with Saber, a white tiger in her enclosure. As Saber’s appearance and “goofy” behavior drew attention, Shira — an orange-and-black tiger — often showed patience, Orr said.

“Saber seems to be doing fine,” the rescue wrote after Shira’s death. “In the wild, tigers are solitary so it’s not unusual for a tiger to be comfortable alone.”

Meanwhile, staff members at Carolina Tiger Rescue have been mourning Shira’s loss. The center said workers and volunteers take more time to focus on animals’ diets and comfort when they’re sick.

“After spending so much extra time with them, it’s incredibly hard to say goodbye,” Bertok wrote.

In the wild, tigers are found in parts of Asia and can weigh more than 600 pounds. The endangered animals typically live up to 15 years but can have longer lives in captivity, according to the World Wildlife Fund and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.

Pittsboro is in Chatham County, roughly 30 miles west of Raleigh.

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