Last weekend, after a few weeks of recuperation, the tiger cub who broke her leg returned to her exhibit in Jacksonville. Zookeepers at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (JZG) noticed in February that Kinleigh Rose, the nearly five-month-old Sumatran tiger cub, was limping, according to a press release by the JZG.
After a checkup, the zoo’s veterinarian staff determined that her little leg was broken, the release said.
“It was a tremendous pleasure to have the opportunity to help Kinleigh Rose, and it’s not every day we have the chance to mend a tiger cub’s leg,” said Dr. Jay Erne of Affiliated Veterinary Specialists (AVS).
She was first kept off the exhibit to ensure sufficient healing before deciding it was OK for her to return, the release said.
“We greatly appreciate Dr. Erne and the staff at AVS for their long time support of the zoo and for treating Kinleigh Rose’s leg,” said Adrienne Atkins, Veterinarian at JZG. “After some rest, we are pleased she can now return to playing on exhibit.”
Kinleigh Rose is the first tiger cub born at the JZG in over three decades, and was an important addition to the critically endangered population, according to the zoo.