TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma says a Sumatran tiger cub whose heart stopped following surgery is showing signs of improvement but remains in critical condition.
Dr. Karen Wolf said Wednesday that Mali is waking up for short periods, responding to light and eating small amounts of soft cat food. Her vital signs have returned to normal.
The cub was resuscitated after complications following her Monday surgery, which was required because pieces of bone she had eaten were blocking her stomach. Zoo veterinarians believe she suffered some brain damage.
She was one of two cubs born at the zoo in May. At the time the zoo said the births brought the number of endangered Sumatran tigers in North American zoos to 74. Fewer than 500 survive in the wild.
