Lacey's Popcorn Park Zoo Mourns Loss Of Rescue Tiger

LACEY, NJ — The Popcorn Park Animal Refuge announced the death of their beloved tiger Caesar last week. Popcorn Park was his home for nearly 20 years.

“It’s with great sadness that we write this,” Popcorn Park said Thursday on Facebook. “Caesar has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge to be with those who once also called Popcorn Park their home.”

Caesar arrived at Popcorn Park on June 18, 2002 after he was rescued from Harwood, Texas. When he arrived, his back hair was just beginning to grow after he suffered a case of ringworm.

“He was two when he arrived, and he never seemed to get any older,” Popcorn Park said. “He just acted like a 2-year-old ‘cub’ all his life. He loved to play hide and seek just before he was supposed to come in for his dinner, he would hide behind one of the bigger rocks in his yard, thinking we couldn’t see his ears or his tail flicking behind him.”

In February of 2020, the refuge noticed Caesar was eating less and drinking more water. After they performed tests, they found Caesar was in renal failure.

After two and a half weeks of supportive fluid therapy and care, Caesar's health was restored.

“He enjoyed his pond all summer after that and the great fall weather we had. We even had some snow that he played in, he loved the snow," Popcorn Park said.

The staff found Caesar asleep one morning in March. When he would not wake up, they realized he died in his sleep.

“Thank you, Caesar, for allowing us to be a part of your life, for greeting us every morning, for talking with us all day and for wishing us a good night each night. You were and will always be the ‘cub’ at the heart of our family,” Popcorn Park said.

More than 300 people have left comments on Facebook grieving the loss and sharing their memories of Ceasar.

“We visited your zoo several times throughout the years and we always loved to see the tigers,” wrote Rosemary Bracco. “It is always so devastating to lose a fur baby. We know he was well cared for his whole life and you did all you could for him. RIP Caesar.”

Catherine Boos-Hyle’s family served as sponsors to Caesar while he lived in the animal refuge.

“Our family was one of Caesar's sponsors, my youngest, cat loving sons in particular. It was always a pleasure getting pictures and letters about Caesar, we all loved to visit him at the park and we are so sad to hear of his passing. Rest peacefully buddy,” wrote Boos-Hyle.

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