India

HENDERSON COUNTY — A tiger who was found roaming the streets of Houston in 2021 has died at an East Texas ranch.

India, a 3-year-old tiger who was living at Cleveland Armory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, died this week, the ranch announced Thursday in a Facebook post.

Many have followed India’s story since 2021, when the ranch took him in from the streets of Houston where he was roaming a neighborhood where he was kept as a pet, according to the ranch. Once rescued, he began to thrive at the 1,400-acre sanctuary, which is operated by the Humane Society of the United States.

Earlier this week, India was not acting like himself, the ranch said.

“He was less active, not reacting to his caregivers, and not exploring his large habitat as he normally would,” according to the ranch. “Our vet and care staff monitored him closely, offering him his usually irresistible treats to entice him to take medications. He was clearly losing any interest and not feeling right.”

Next, the ranch made the decision to sedate him so the vet team could examine and investigate what was causing his sudden change in behavior.

“As our team gathered to begin the sedation, India passed away naturally before we even started, surrounded by several care team members,” the ranch said.

The initial findings for his cause of death indicated India’s intestinal tract had an abnormal portion that is suggestive of cancer and his system went septic. The ranch will not know for sure whether cancer was the ultimate cause until final lab results come back to us in several weeks.

“We wanted to share this heartbreaking news with our incredible supporters who have been following India’s story from the day we took him in … All who knew India are deeply saddened by this loss. We at Black Beauty Ranch were truly honored to provide him with the best care and life he deserved and the freedom to be a tiger and flourish into a wild animal. RIP amazing India. You will always be in our hearts,” the ranch stated.

In May 2021, the headline-making search for a missing pet tiger named India was underway in Houston. Once he was found by authorities, the then 9-month-old, 134-pound cub was transported to his forever home at the ranch in Murchison, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

In his first year at the sanctuary, India overcame obstacles that were a result of having been a pet, according to the Humane Society of the U.S.

“When he arrived, India was accustomed to close human interaction and did not want to be alone. The staff would do social visits sitting outside of his habitat for short periods of time throughout the day. As time went on, the interactions became fewer each day and eventually he started to adjust and become more independent,” according to the Humane Society of the U.S.

In his first year at the ranch, another challenge India faced was physical.

“After India’s first spurts of excitement running around and exploring his expansive new home, India’s care team could see that his back legs were tired and weak. India’s muscles did not properly develop because, as a pet in a house, he was unable to run at full speed or jump. Over time he was able to get stronger and run for longer intervals,” according to the humane society.

Noelle Almrud, senior director at Black Beauty Ranch, said “Once India developed more confidence, independence and physical strength, his natural behaviors and wild instincts kicked in.”

Since his rescue, India had been thriving and happy, “always busy stalking, hiding in the tall grass, pouncing on balls and boxes, and experiencing other enrichment activities,” Almrud said.

India also loved to climb and swim or take long naps under a tree.