Rolling Hills Zoo has released the results of the necropsy on Luka, the tiger cub that died in late August.
The preliminary findings by K-State during the necropsy on Luka, one of three cubs born at Rolling Hills Zoo, found that Luka suffered from subaortic stenosis, a serious condition that obstructed the flow of blood from his heart’s left ventricle. This serious condition was likely congenital and may have been present from birth.
Further testing revealed that he had also contracted feline calicivirus, a virus that can cause upper respiratory problems and oral disease in cats. Since he was being examined for poor appetite and a possible oral pain, this would explain the causal agent, the zoo noted.
K-State also tested for the SARS-COVID-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, and the results were negative.
The zoo is continuing to monitor Luka’s siblings, Nadya and Sasha, and his parents, Andrea and Dhenuka, for calicivirus, and will administer supportive care if needed. Currently the tigers are behaving, eating and drinking normally.