Animal Ark Continues to Probe Tiger, Wolf Deaths

A Nevada wildlife sanctuary is awaiting test results from a California laboratory to determine what killed a tiger and wolf and seriously sickened a cheetah.

The Animal Ark near Reno says a 21-year-old tiger died on Feb. 6, a day before a 3-year-old wolf died and a 9-year-old cheetah was found comatose.

Officials at the nonprofit sanctuary say a barbiturate from an undetermined source is suspected as the cause of the deaths and illness after the cheetah tested positive for the drug. Food also hasn't been ruled out as the cause.

Sanctuary spokeswoman Jan Alaksa says infectious disease has been ruled out as the cause, and officials found no evidence someone broke into the facility to poison the animals.

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