Zoo officials probe why tiger killed intended mate
El Paso Zoo officials said they are trying to understand why a Malayan tiger on loan from the San Diego Zoo killed her intended mate last week.
"Zoo keepers hadn't observed any signs of aggression or behavior indicating that there was a problem," zoo officials said in a statement. "The two tigers were observed playing and being affectionate on exhibit earlier Thursday morning."
Three-year-old Seri killed the 6-year-old male, Wzui. Seri may have been jealous of Wzui's attention toward a 15-year-old female, Melor.
In June, a zoo news release noted friction among the three tigers: "The male tiger Wzui likes both females, but the two females don't like each other."
Seri reportedly grabbed Wzui's neck in her jaws on Thursday and bit down. By the time keepers were on the scene, Wzui was dead.
Seri was born at the San Diego Zoo in April 2008 and was sent to the El Paso Zoo in July 2010 as part of a breeding program.
"Wzui will be greatly missed," said El Paso Zoo Director Steve Marshall.
The Malayan tiger is a subspecies of tiger found in the Malay Peninsula and is considered an endangered species.