Male tiger kills female tiger in Sacramento Zoo breeding mishap

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTVU) - A female tiger at the Sacramento Zoo was killed by a male tiger on Wednesday shortly after the two were introduced.  According to zoo officials, the male tiger attacked the 15-year-old female named Baha.

Despite quick work by staffers to separate them, Baha was taken to the onsite veterinarian where she died of her injuries.

Mohan, the male tiger, was on loan as part of a tiger-breeding program. The two tigers had lived next to each other for several months and appeared ready for an introduction. 

Both Sumatran tigers have had successful breeding introductions in the past.

The zoo says it’s a devastating loss and that Baha was a “one-of-a-kind” tiger that “inspired many”.