Penza, 6 January 2013. PenzaNews. Penza Zoo pet – Siberian tiger Isatora – died after a long illness.

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“The disease began to appear in the autumn of 2010. Zoo specialists studied the experience of Russian and foreign colleagues, changed diet and frequency of feeding, used modern medicines and preventive drugs, trying to support the tiger’s immunity. Representatives of Saratov Veterinary Academy did gastric biopsy and diagnosed “atrophic gastritis” which causes thinning of the mucous membrane of the stomach, and atrophy of glands responsible for the production of gastric juice. Scientists have not been able to establish what causes the disease,” the administration of Penza zoo told news agency “PenzaNews.”

Isatora, male was born from a pair of tigers Alpha and Timur in 2003.

The tiger received its unusual name because Tokyo zoo, Japan wanted to buy the tiger. However, during the preparation of the documents, Japanese experts said the tiger must be neutered as there is no evidence that it is a hybrid. Penza zoo decided to refuse the offer and keep the animal.

After that Penza zoo could prove that Isatora was a real Siberian tiger and had the right to have offspring.

On 7 July 2010, the Penza pair of tigers called Isatora and Konstantsiya got three cubs.