Heartbreaking News About Animal Death At Popular Minnesota Zoo

Cancer has taken the life of another one who has been loved in Minnesota. This time, the heartbreaking news of cancer is hitting the Minnesota Zoo community and fans.

Cancer Causes Another Heartbreaking Loss in Minnesota

One of Minnesota's largest attractions, the Minnesota Zoo, is located on 485 acres in Apple Valley, Minnesota. It's such a great place to check out and should definately be on your bucket list because there are over 4,000 animals! You can also check out the Treetop Trail while you are there, which is the world's longest elevated pedestrian loop.

Sad Announcement From The Minnesota Zoo About Beloved Amur Tiger That Passed Away

Sadly, during your next visit, you'll notice that one animal at the Minnesota Zoo is missing. Sundari, a 13-year-old female Amur tiger, had an aggressive form of cancer and had to be euthanized. Below is the latest statement from the Minnesota Zoo about this beloved animal.

Honoring Sundari “Dari” 2012-2025 | We are saddened to share that Sundari, or “Dari,” the Minnesota Zoo’s 13-year-old female Amur tiger, was humanely euthanized on July 12, 2025, due to mesothelioma, an aggressive and uncurable form of cancer known to occur in several wild felid species including tigers. We are grateful for the tireless and compassionate efforts of our animal care and veterinary teams and their work to ensure Dari passed peacefully under expert care.

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Born on June 17, 2012, and hand-raised at the Minnesota Zoo by our highly experienced team, Dari was a beloved ambassador and a key contributor to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan. Her keepers remember her as “a true matriarch, a pillar of strength, and an irreplaceable member of our Zoo … [and] a symbol of resilience and stability during some of the most challenging years for the Species Survival Program.”

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Dari was a remarkable mother who leaves a long and hopeful legacy with her cubs. Dari gave birth and raised six cubs at the Minnesota Zoo: Vera, Brosno, Vostok, Yana, and most recently, Amaliya and Andrei, born on May 23, 2024. The arrival of Amaliya and Andrei shined a global spotlight on the Minnesota Zoo and served as a reminder of the critical role we play in tiger conservation. We are deeply grateful to our animal care and veterinary teams for their dedication and to our community for your continued support.

Go Behind The Scenes and Learn More About The Tiger Cubs at the Minnesota Zoo

Throughout its existence, the Minnesota Zoo has been a huge leader for tiger conservation. Several tiger cubs have been born and Dari has been an amazing mom to many throughout the years. Below is a behind-the-scenes look at how the tiger cubs adjust to life once they are born at the Minnesota Zoo.

8 Plants You Should Try In Your Yard To Help Repel Mosquitoes

As soon as the temperatures start to warm up in Minnesota, mosquitoes love to make friends with everyone in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. To help keep the mosquitoes away at your house, try putting some of these plants in your flower beds and pots this year. They've been proven to help keep mosquitoes away!

Gallery Credit: Jessica On The Radio