Tiger rescued from Harlem apartment in 2003 dies at age 19
Ming, the mixed Siberian/Bengal tiger removed from a New York City apartment, lies tranquilized at Noah's Lost Ark Animal Sanctuary in Berlin Center, Ohio, Monday, Oct. 6, 2003 The tiger was tranquilized to move him from his transport cage into anoth
NEW YORK - Ming, the Bengal-Siberian hibrid tiger that was rescued from the Drew Hamilton Houses in 2003, is now buried at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery in Westchester County.
The 425-lb. animal died in February of kidney and heart failure. His death was confirmed by cemetery officials on Tuesday.
The head of Noah's Lost Ark , Ellen Karnofel, told the Daily News that the ceremony was kept quiet because Ming "deserved some peace" after becoming a spectacle. She said Ming had "a really good life" at the sanctuary, swimming and playing with "tiger friends."
Antoine Yates, Ming's owner at the time of the rescue, was attacked by the massive tiger. When he went to a local hospital, Yates told doctors he was bitten by a dog.
Police were called and they went to Yates' apartment where they found the three-year-old tiger.
A camera was used to safely see into the apartment while an officer was lowered from the roof to shoot a tranquiler dart through a window.
Yates was arrested. Ming was sent to the sanctuary where it lived peacefully for more than 15 years years.
With the Associated Press