A sixth exotic cat has died after a canine distemper outbreak at a Dallas-area wildlife sanctuary.
Officials with In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center in Wylie said a nearly 10-year-old male Bengal tiger named Kazuri died Sunday.
The following message was posted on the group's Facebook page:
"I'm afraid we have yet more devastating news. We lost our beautiful, friendly, chuffy, happy, playful, silly Kazuri this morning. He had seemed to be so much better, had a GREAT day yesterday, but he passed this morning. We are, once again, heartbroken. This is going beyond what anyone can be expected to be able to handle. Thank you all for your continued support - you don't know how much you mean to us, and how much you are helping us with this horrific situation."
It's the second death this month of an exotic cat at the refuge. On Thursday, the sanctuary announced the death of a 13-year-old female Bengal tiger named Lucca.
Four lions and tigers died in July at the wildlife facility as veterinarians work to stem the outbreak.
More than 20 exotic cats were diagnosed with canine distemper this summer. Experts have said they believe the canine distemper was transmitted by wild raccoons.
