Atascadero community mourns 17‑year‑old big cat whose legacy will live on through conservation and a planned habitat expansion

ATASCADERO — The City of Atascadero and the Central Coast Zoo are mourning the loss of Menderu, the beloved Malayan Tiger, who has been a favorite at the Zoo since his arrival as a cub in 2008. Menderu came to the Zoo from the San Diego Zoo at just one year old and lived a long, healthy life at the Central Coast Zoo. He passed away at the age of 17 years old, a lifespan which is at the average life expectancy for Malayan Tigers in professional care, and well beyond what is typical in the wild.

“Menderu has been a treasured part of our Zoo family since 2008. He led the best quality and healthy life,” said Zoo Director, Dr. Cynthia Stringfield. “The staff mourns him deeply as he wasn’t just an animal in our care, he was family.”

In recent weeks, Menderu had been under expert veterinary care as his health declined. Despite around-the-clock observation, his condition worsened rapidly. He passed away this morning and Zoo officials say they will have the cause of death in the weeks to come.

Menderu contributed greatly to understanding the Malayan Tiger species and played a key role in the Zoo’s mission of education and conservation. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Central Coast Zoo remains committed to the AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP) for tigers. The Zoo plans to continue its work with AZA to welcome another tiger in the future.

Menderu captured the hearts of our visitors and staff alike and his legacy lives on in the thousands of guests he touched and in the continued conservation efforts of the Zoo. The zoo says plans were already underway to expand the tiger habitat — a project envisioned with Menderu in mind and that work will continue in his honor.

To learn more about Malayan Tigers, or to make a donation toward the habitat expansion in memory of Menderu, please visit centralcoastzoo.org/donate