9. Montecore, the White Tiger
Montecore was one of the many white tigers who appeared with Siegfried & Roy, the German-American duo of magicians and entertainers who were well-known for their regular public appearances with white lions and tigers. Montecore is more infamous than famous, actually. In 2003, during a show at the Mirage Resort and Casino where the duo had been performing since 1990, Montecore bit Roy on the neck. He was 7 years old at that time, and was triggered to react to Roy’s convulsions in a seizure-like manner, and he tried to move Roy to safety. Roy was critically injured, and suffered huge blood loss, and could start walking and talking only in 2006, with assistance. Montecore’s attack and Roy’s injury prompted the Mirage to close the show. The tiger appeared for one last time with Siegfried and Roy in February, 2009, which was their farewell act before the duo retired for good in 2010. Montecore died after a short illness on 19th March, 2014 at the age of 17.
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