Farewell to Mara: Beloved Amur Tiger at Columbus Zoo Passes Away After 15 Years
Columbus, OH – Mara, the cherished Amur tiger who became a symbol of resilience and conservation at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, has passed away at the age of 18. The zoo announced the difficult decision to euthanize Mara due to declining health and age-related mobility issues that impacted her quality of life.
Born in 2006 at the Pittsburgh Zoo, Mara joined the Columbus Zoo in 2010, quickly becoming a guest favorite thanks to her playful and mischievous personality. She was known to enjoy the scent of cinnamon and luxury perfumes, often seen carrying around paper bags or playfully stealing boxes from her cubs.
In 2012, Mara made headlines by giving birth to the first litter of Amur tiger cubs at the Columbus Zoo in over 25 years—a milestone that marked a significant contribution to endangered species conservation. Over the years, she proudly raised a total of nine cubs: Dimitri, Wiz, Morgana, Glinda, Taj II, Ursula, Timothy, George Miller, and Mabelle. Mara was deeply protective and nurturing, embodying the spirit of motherhood in the animal kingdom.
Zoo officials honored Mara as a passionate ambassador for Amur tiger conservation. “Her legacy lives on not only through her cubs but also through the awareness she brought to the plight of Siberian tigers in the wild,” the zoo shared.
Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are one of the most endangered big cats in the world, with fewer than 600 remaining in the wild. Native to the snow-covered forests of eastern Russia and northern China, they face serious threats from poaching, habitat destruction, and political instability.
Mara’s story is a reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and the vital role zoos play in protecting endangered species. Her memory continues to inspire zoo staff, conservationists, and visitors from around the world.
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