Zoo Loses 2nd Rare Tiger

AKRON, Ohio -- For the second time in less than a month, a rare Sumatran tigers has died at the Akron Zoo.

Zoo officials said Thursday that Binjai had been euthanized a day earlier after lab results indicated the animal may have had a blood-based cancer. The zoo says the male tiger's condition had been deteriorating rapidly since Saturday and officials decided it was best to put him down.

Binjai was 18, one of the oldest Sumatran tigers in the United States.

A 17-year-old female named Aneh was euthanized at the Akron Zoo Nov. 13 because of chronic kidney disease. The zoo has only one remaining Sumatran tiger, a male named Roho.

Sumatran tigers are endangered; it's believed no more than 500 live in the wild.

Stay tuned to NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for the latest news and information.

To send a news tip or submit a story idea, e-mail .

MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video