lyndell75

Michael Jackson's Tiger Dies Of Lung Cancer

Thriller, one of Michael Jackson's tigers that used to live at his Neverland Ranch has died of lung cancer at actress / activist Tippi Hedren's wildlife preserve in California.

Thriller, the 13-year-old 375 pound tiger, died June 11, Hedren said Wednesday. A necropsy was performed and the tiger was cremated. Staff workers at the Shambala Preserve will hold a private service when the ashes are buried in a section of the preserve set aside for animals that die there.

Thriller and her brother Sabu were born on November 20, 1998, and lived with Jackson at Neverland until May 4, 2006, Hedren said. When Jackson left Neverland for good, his veterinarian asked Hedren to take the cats at her Shambala Preserve, which is about 50 miles north of Los Angeles.

Other Neverland animals, including giraffes, flamingos, orangutans, elephants and dozens of reptiles, were sent to other sanctuaries in other parts of the country.

Shambala didn't have a lot of room, but Hedren built a $79,000 habitat next to the preserve's lake where Thriller had a great life with Sabu, she said.

"Thriller was a real piece of work, one gutsy girl. She ruled Sabu's life. It was humorous to watch the whole relationship. She did things to him that male tigers would normally never allow. She would steal food from him. That's unheard of. She ruled the roost, was very independent and tough," Hedren said.

Unlike many of the animals that end up at the preserve, Hedren said that Thriller and Sabu arrived at the compound in excellent physical and emotional health. Many animals have trouble adjusting because they have such abusive pasts.

"Fortunately for Sabu and Thriller, they came in healthy and content. They had no problem with being in quarantine for 30 days. They adjusted so well."

There are 15 tigers at the compound, but Sabu is now alone in the habitat he shared with Thriller and he will probably stay that way, Hedren said, explaining that tigers are loners in the wild.

Because Thriller was a famous tiger, she was very popular with visitors and the media, Hedren said. "She didn't care. She was not a diva and didn't mug for the camera. We all loved her for it."

Hedren said staff at Shambala was trying to cope with Thriller's death. "It's very hard for all of us when these animals go away.


Source: MJFC / AP