Phoenix Zoo's Sumatran Tiger Celebrates 16th Birthday With Special Big Cat Treats

The Phoenix Zoo is continuing to provide updates on their animals through online posts and livestreams, as part of the social media ‘closed but still caring’ campaign amid COVID-19 lockdowns.

The zoo’s male Sumatran tiger, Jai, celebrated his 16th birthday on April 17 with a whole chicken and fish-blood popsicle. In footage uploaded by the zoo to their Twitter account, Jai laps up the ‘bloodsicle’ next to a chalked cardboard box wishing him a happy birthday. Jai wraps up his celebration by exhibiting some very house cat–like behavior, playing with the box and poking his head inside.

The Phoenix Zoo closed on March 18 as part of preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19. Credit: Phoenix Zoo via Storyful