The Downtown Aquarium in Houston has experienced the loss of one of its longest-residing and most cherished animals: a 21-year-old white Bengal tiger named Marina. This majestic feline, known for her feisty demeanor and an odd penchant for tearing apart phone books, passed away over the weekend, prompting the Aquarium to acknowledge her significant impact on staff and visitors alike.
Marina was not just a captivating presence; she was also a record-holder. According to a statement from Jim Prappas, the Director of Animal Operations, which ABC13 obtained, Marina was "recognized as the oldest Bengal tiger, and the oldest of any tiger subspecies, in an AZA-accredited facility nationwide." Her impressive lifespan was attributed to the exceptional care she received at the hands of her devoted team. Prappas's statement reflected a deep sense of loss, "It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Marina, our 21-year-old Bengal tiger."
Marina's legacy will endure through a donation made by the Downtown Aquarium in her memory. As per a report by Click2Houston, the Aquarium is contributing $2,100 to the Tiger Conservation Campaign. This figure symbolically represents $100 for each year of Marina's life, supporting efforts to protect the endangered species to which she belonged.
