Amir, a nine-year-old Sumatran tiger, is recovering at Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury, Kent, after undergoing dental surgery to repair three broken teeth.
Weighing over 20 stone, Amir was sedated and taken to the zoo’s on-site hospital, where dental surgeon Peter Kertesz performed the procedure.
The tiger’s right upper canine and two other chipped teeth were filled to prevent future pain or complications.
Ben Warren, head of the carnivore section at Howletts, explained that although Amir was not in immediate discomfort, filling the damaged teeth was essential to prevent deterioration. “Amir is a lovely tiger, and we knew that a filling would be the best course of action,” he said.
Jane Hopper, head of veterinary services at Howletts, highlighted the complexity of the procedure, noting that a tiger’s canine root can be up to six times longer than a human’s.
She praised the successful outcome, expressing gratitude to Kertesz and the team. Amir is expected to recover fully, though he will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
Howletts Wild Animal Park is home to a small but diverse group of tigers, including two Sumatran, two Siberian, and two Bengal tigers, all classified as endangered or critically endangered.
Experts cite poaching and habitat loss as key factors driving the decline of these majestic animals in the wild.
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