TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A rare white Bengal tiger at Kaohsiung’s Shoushan Zoo has died at the age of 19, according to a press release from the zoo.

Zhao Hai (昭海), a male tiger that lived at the zoo for 14 years, died peacefully Sunday, the zoo said. The animal’s age is roughly equivalent to 90 in human years.

The zoo said Zhao Hai began experiencing chronic kidney disease in 2019, a common condition among older felines. Veterinarians and zookeepers closely monitored the tiger’s condition, managing its diet and water intake to slow physiological decline and maintain quality of life despite chronic symptoms.

Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau Director Kao Min-lin (高閔琳) said the tiger’s death was heartbreaking for many visitors who remembered his robust appearance upon arriving at the zoo as a young adult and his resilience in the face of aging and illness. She said Zhao Hai not only left behind fond memories but also contributed valuable experience in caring for elderly Bengal tigers.

In its later years, some visitors mistook Zhao Hai’s thinner frame for malnutrition, the zoo said. Officials provided information about the tiger’s health to help the public better understand the physical changes that accompany aging animals, highlighting the zoo’s efforts to care for senior wildlife.

A longtime zookeeper said caring for the rare tiger initially brought a sense of pressure due to the species’ uniqueness and public attention. Staff closely monitored its appetite, mental state, and overall health while maintaining an enriched, varied living environment.

As Zhao Hai aged, staff adjusted its habitat and prepared specialized meals to ensure comfort in its final years, developing what they described as a familial bond with the animal. The zoo said the tiger’s remains were sent to the Animal Disease Diagnosis Center at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology for further analysis.