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Michael Jackson's Tiger Dies of Lung Cancer
the daily dish
Thriller the tiger, one of late entertainer Michael Jackson's many exotic pets, has passed away. According to CBS News, Thriller died of lung cancer at Tippi Hedren's wildlife preserve in California. Thriller was named after Jackson's megahit 1983 album, which featured a tiger cub on its cover.
Hedren had been caring for Thriller and her brother, Sabu, since Jackson moved away from Neverland Ranch permanently. No longer allowed to stay on the singer's property, the tigers were moved to Hedren's Shambala Preserve at the request of Jackson's veterinarian.
RELATED: Celeb Spirit Animals
Thriller's current caretaker announced the death Wednesday, stating that the 13-year-old tiger was cremated. Hedren and her staff held a private service for Thriller and buried his ashes on the preserve's grounds.
The 375-pound tiger was well cared for and loved in his final years. At Shambala, Thriller stayed with Sabu in a $79,000 habitat designed specially for the duo.
Hedren told the Associated Press that Thriller attracted a lot of visitors to the preserve, but that this extra attention didn't turn her into a diva. Instead, Thriller enjoyed spending most of her time goofing around with Sabu. It is this playful and well-adjusted spirit that Hedren and her staff will deeply miss.
RELATED: Learn about ligers.
Jackson, a self-proclaimed animal lover, had little contact with his animals before he died. The singer did not visit Thriller and Sabu or send donations. Hedren shared with AP that a care package sent to Jackson's children, full of photos and memorabilia of the tigers, also went unanswered.
See more crazy celeb pets:
Hedren had been caring for Thriller and her brother, Sabu, since Jackson moved away from Neverland Ranch permanently. No longer allowed to stay on the singer's property, the tigers were moved to Hedren's Shambala Preserve at the request of Jackson's veterinarian.
RELATED: Celeb Spirit Animals
Thriller's current caretaker announced the death Wednesday, stating that the 13-year-old tiger was cremated. Hedren and her staff held a private service for Thriller and buried his ashes on the preserve's grounds.
The 375-pound tiger was well cared for and loved in his final years. At Shambala, Thriller stayed with Sabu in a $79,000 habitat designed specially for the duo.
Hedren told the Associated Press that Thriller attracted a lot of visitors to the preserve, but that this extra attention didn't turn her into a diva. Instead, Thriller enjoyed spending most of her time goofing around with Sabu. It is this playful and well-adjusted spirit that Hedren and her staff will deeply miss.
RELATED: Learn about ligers.
Jackson, a self-proclaimed animal lover, had little contact with his animals before he died. The singer did not visit Thriller and Sabu or send donations. Hedren shared with AP that a care package sent to Jackson's children, full of photos and memorabilia of the tigers, also went unanswered.
See more crazy celeb pets:
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19 Comments
Who really cares about the Tiger. I wonder is Michael slept with the Tiger, I guess yes if it was really a he.
June 28 2012 at 4:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe article said that this tiger was named after the album. It didn't say it was the same tiger that was on the cover. I believe it was actually 13 years old after all. It said it was one of many of Jackson's exotic pets.
June 28 2012 at 4:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDo people really read the article, or do they just assume that the person who wrote it is stupid? The tiger was NAMED Thriller. He was not the same tiger that posed on the Thriller cover. That was in the very first paragraph. So, the author did NOT mess up the math; you messed up your reading.
June 28 2012 at 4:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThey said the Tiger was 13 years old if you do the math he was 29 years old album was in 1983 he died in 2012 = 29 years
June 28 2012 at 4:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWait-a-minute!! That cat is older then 13 years old!! If Thriller was featured on his cover album back in 1983, wouldn't that make him 29??
June 28 2012 at 4:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOne second the tiger is a "he", then it is a "she". Make up your mind.
June 28 2012 at 3:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOne minute the tiger is a "she" and then it is a "he".
June 28 2012 at 3:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLung cancer?
June 28 2012 at 3:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySmoking will do that to ya.
The tiger had lung cancer?
June 28 2012 at 3:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySmoking will do that to ya.
So sorry to hear about his tiger passing away. I am sure he saw to all of his animals. Michael was a very giving person. I so admired him and loved to watch him entertain. He was a gift to all of us. He passed away to young. I miss him so. He passed all of his good qualities on to his children. Michael probably pulls in more money now.God rest your soul.
June 28 2012 at 3:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDid you read the article? The last paragraph shows MJ and his family did not care about the tigers at all.
June 30 2012 at 9:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyJust as you don't care about other human beings right? You my friend are a perfect example of how hypocritical people in this world are? Trust me, if your life was like his in the eye of the public, you wouldn't survive a day in his life. There are things in your life that i know your not proud about. Imagine the whole world knowing about it and even when you have passed on, they continue to condemn you for it. Who are we to judge when we are all full of flaws. We are just fortunate enough to be able to keep them to ourselves. I would advise you to think over what you say and take a look at yourself before you go judging others. Peace
January 05 2013 at 9:49 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate downguess you didn't read the article after the Tigers left never land Michael never went to visit or send money for their care...doesn't sound like love to me...He just thought of them as play things...And then discarded them...He wasn't a gift just another messed up person that couldn't deal with life and a drug addict ...
June 30 2012 at 1:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLet me tell you Patricia he's not the only messed up person on this planet... hint* hint* Don't speak of others if you haven't checked yourself out first. No ones perfect. Everyone has their own flaws. We just don't share them with each other. Be smarter next time before you sate your opinion.
January 05 2013 at 9:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down