ABILENE, Texas (AP) - Havar, the white Bengal tiger that has been one of the Abilene Zoo's star attractions for 9½ years, has died at an age estimated between 18 and 20 years.

An Abilene Zoo statement says the big cat died Friday morning of natural causes in the presence of the zoo's care team. The zoo said that "although Havar was considered geriatric, his death has come unexpectedly."

Dr. Stephanie Carle, the zoo veterinarian, said Havar "was such an incredible tiger and was loved by us all."

The zoo had been Havar's home since he was rescued from a private individual on June 2, 2009. Bengal tigers are an endangered species with as few as 4,000 left in the wild.

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