An update about Pasha

Following the sad loss of our Amur tiger, Pasha, we have now received the results of his post-mortem examination.

Being open and transparent about the care we provide is incredibly important to us. We know many of you were deeply saddened by Pasha’s passing and wanted to understand more about what happened.

Pasha joined Marwell in March 2025 as part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Ex-situ Breeding Programme (EEP) for this Endangered species.

He quickly became a much-loved member of our zoo family and was cared for by a dedicated team of keepers who knew him exceptionally well through their daily care and positive reinforcement training.

One of the things that made Pasha so special was his willingness to take part in his own healthcare. Through his training, he voluntarily participated in many aspects of his care, including accepting injections, allowing veterinary examinations and taking part in the aftercare following his recent paw surgery to remove a stone.

This relationship meant his keepers knew his normal behaviour extremely well. When something changed, they recognised it quickly.

Please watch the video below, where our Principal Zoo Veterinarian, Dr Elyse Summerfield-Smith, shares the findings of the post-mortem examination and explains the care Pasha received during his final days, as well as the difficult decisions that were made with his welfare at the heart of every step.

Thank you

Everyone who worked with Pasha was devastated by his loss, just as many of you were. We are incredibly grateful to our teams for the compassion, dedication and care they showed throughout his life, and especially during his final days.

We’d also like to thank everyone who has shared kind messages and taken the time to remember Pasha. Your words have meant a great deal to our teams.

The welfare of every animal in our care is, and always will be, our highest priority. We remain committed to providing the very best care for the animals at Marwell and to sharing our work openly and honestly with you.