By YUTO OTA/ Staff Writer
June 19, 2025 at 18:06 JST
Cocoa walks through the snow in her enclosure at Kushiro Zoo in Hokkaido in February 2013. (Provided by the zoo)
KUSHIRO, Hokkaido—Cocoa, a beloved female Amur tiger known for her physical disability and resilience, passed away on June 18 at the age of 17, officials at Kushiro Zoo here announced.
Zoo staff noticed Cocoa exhibiting signs of distress that evening through surveillance footage of her enclosure. Despite immediate emergency care by keepers and a veterinarian, Cocoa died 15 minutes later, at around 7:30 p.m.
Cocoa was born in a near-stillborn state at the zoo in May 2008. She had a congenital condition that caused her hind legs to stiffen in a crisscross position, preventing her from fully straightening them.
Her survival was uncertain at birth, but she defied the odds and became a figure deeply cherished by zoo visitors.
In recent years, Cocoa showed signs of slowing down. Since the age of 15, she had largely stopped running outdoors and spent most of her time resting on a mattress in her enclosure.
Cocoa’s enclosure remained on display, as she seemed to enjoy watching visitors. To reduce any potential stress, viewing hours were kept short.
However, the zoo suspended her public exhibition on June 17 to allow staff to closely monitor her condition and respond quickly to any sudden changes in her health.
Zoo officials expressed gratitude to everyone who had loved and supported Cocoa, saying that she inspired many people.
A memorial area has been set up in front of her enclosure, where visitors have placed flowers to honor the tiger who touched so many hearts.
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