Endangered tiger killed by her would-be mate in a California zoo

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Sacramento Zoo officials said they had high hopes that two rare Sumatran tigers would begin courting this week. Mohan, a 12-year-old male, already had plenty of visual contact with 15-year-old female tiger Baha since his arrival at the zoo in December. The idea was to get Mohan and Baha to reproduce as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.

Sumatran tigers are considered critically endangered, with fewer than 400 still alive today, according to the World Wildlife Fund. “Both tigers’ behavior indicated that this was the proper time for physical introductions,” the Sacramento Zoo said in a statement. “Based on knowledge and experience from past successful introductions, staff decided to physically introduce the tigers on Wednesday morning.” The two tigers were placed inside of an enclosure, and staff watched from outside as what was supposed to be one more step to keeping the species alive ended in tragedy.

Mohan became “aggressive,” according to the zoo, and attacked Baha within a matter of minutes, the Sacramento Bee reported. Staff used a water hose and fire extinguishers to intercede, the Associated Press reported, and secured Mohan elsewhere. But by the time veterinarians got to Baha and tried to resuscitate her, it was too late: She had already died from the attack, according to the zoo.

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