Tiger living in Harlem

Description

Ming of Harlem was a Siberian–Bengal tiger hybrid who lived for several years in a fifth-floor apartment in Harlem’s Drew-Hamilton Houses. Purchased by Antoine Yates as an eight-week-old cub in 2000, Ming grew into a roughly 425-pound tiger while sharing the apartment with Yates, his family, and other animals. Yates also kept a 5.5-foot alligator named Al in another bedroom. Although the animals’ presence was known to some neighbors, Ming’s existence remained something of an urban legend in the building for several years.

Hospitalized, Sept 30, 2003

The unusual arrangement came to public attention in 2003, when Yates was taken to Harlem Hospital with serious bites and scratches. He initially claimed that a pit bull had injured him, but the size of the wounds raised suspicions. Police subsequently received an anonymous tip about a large wild animal in the apartment.

Discovered, Oct 3, 2003

When officers investigated, they could hear the tiger growling behind the door. NYPD officers eventually located Ming through a window, tranquilized him, and removed him from the apartment. More than six men were needed to carry the sedated tiger to an awaiting truck. The alligator, Al, was also discovered and seized.

Yates was arrested and ultimately served several months in prison after pleading guilty to reckless endangerment. Ming was transported to Noah’s Lost Ark Animal Sanctuary in Ohio, where he lived for the remainder of his life.

Died, Feb 4, 2019

At the sanctuary, he had space to roam, other tigers for company, and a swimming pool. Ming died in 2019 at the age of approximately 19 from kidney and heart failure. His remains were cremated and interred at Hartsdale Pet Cemetery in Westchester County, New York.

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A monument in a pet cemetery in Westchester County

2003 - Discovered

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2003 - Discovered - Images

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Public subdue tiger in Harlem Apartment

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