A tiger kitten named Small, who was born on April 30, 2021, tragically passed away, the Toronto Zoo reported on May 21. Two other pups were born to her mother, an Amur tiger named Mazyria, and one of them passed away from liver sickness. There was only one remaining cub, Small, who was the second of the litter.

The zoo tried everything to help Small gain weight, but it was unsuccessful. The medical personnel at the zoo subsequently learned that the cub had serious heart issues. Her primary heart chamber had a hole in it, harming both her heart and lungs, according to a CT scan. A crucial blood vessel was also on the wrong side of the organ. Simply put, there was no way to solve such problems.

Small’s battle with the illness was finally over on Friday when she was “humanely” put to sleep, the zoo stated on Facebook.

Finding out about the infant Amur Tiger’s horrific death was devastating. The impending population reduction of the species worries conservationists. The Amur Tiger is one of the species that is endangered.

In the 1940s, there were only 40 different species of tigers in existence. Due to superior breeding, their population has increased to around 450 tigers, which are now only found in a few locations in China and Russia. But maintaining and protecting this species is still essential. Scientists believe that Amur Tigers should be bred in captivity to increase their lifespan and number.

Following the deaths of the two tiger cubs, the zoo said that the third newborn Amur tiger, Mazy, is being cautiously monitored. She is in good health and is now thriving. We hope she grows up to be healthy and safe.