WORLD > NEWS

Japan's Oldest Endangered Amur Tiger Dies At 20 At Fukuoka Zoo

05/06/2026 07:22 PM

FUKUOKA, June 5 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- A 20-year-old male Amur tiger, the oldest of his species in Japan, has died at a zoo in Fukuoka, according to the city, Kyodo News reported.

The tiger, Kai, was found motionless in an outdoor exhibition area at Fukuoka Zoo on Thursday morning. He is believed to have died of old age.

The Amur tiger is designated as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which creates the Red List of threatened species.

Kai was born in May 2006 at a zoo in Shizuoka and was transferred to Fukuoka Zoo the following year.

His appetite and physical condition deteriorated sharply around February, and the zoo stopped putting him on regular public display in March so he could rest in a back area.

After his appetite improved, he returned to an outdoor exhibit in late May.

Following his death, Miruru, an 18-year-old female at Tokuyama Zoo in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is now Japan's oldest Amur tiger, according to the zoo.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO


BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.

Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial

© 2026 BERNAMA   • Disclaimer   • Privacy Policy   • Security Policy