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Boston Zoo's Beloved 14-year-old White Tiger Dies

A Boston zoo's 14-year-old white tiger has died after a brief battle with cancer.

The Franklin Park Zoo says its tiger Luther was recently diagnosed with an "undifferentiated round cell tumor" and stopped responding to medication.

The zoo decided to euthanize him Thursday as Luther's health began to decline.

"Today, we lost an incredible presence at the Zoo who brought smiles to the faces of so many through the years," the Franklin Park Zoo said on Facebook. "Luther will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and we appreciate you keeping his care staff in your thoughts."

Luther moved to the Franklin Park Zoo with a Bengal mix named Anala in 2006. At the time it had been 30 years since the zoo had exhibited a tiger.

Both big cats had been confiscated as young cubs from a wildlife sanctuary by federal wildlife agents.

They moved to the zoo prior to the opening of the Tiger Tales exhibit, which aimed to educate the public about illegal wildlife trafficking.

Anala still lives at the zoo.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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