Siegfried & Roy’s white tiger Mantecore, who infamously injured Roy Horn back in 2003, died earlier this month.

White Tiger Mantecore Dies

Siegfried & Roy announced Mantecore’s death on Tuesday. In a statement, the illusionist pair said that the tiger died from an illness on March 19.

"It is with great sorrow that I am writing you this note today that on March 19, 2014 in the early afternoon our beloved 17 year old White Tiger Friend and Brother, “Mantecore” left us and is now with his siblings in White Tiger heaven," read a post on the duo's Facebook Page.

At the Mirage in Las Vegas on Oct. 3, 2003, Mantecore gravely injured Horn during a live Siegfried & Roy performance. While Horn was introducing Mantecore to the audience, the Tiger lunged towards him, latching onto his arm with its teeth. The tiger then went for Horn’s throat and pulled him off the stage.

Siegfried & Roy Defend Mantecore

Following the attack, both Horn and Siegfried Fischbacher took to the animal’s defense. It’s their belief that Mantecore, thinking that Horn was having a mini-stroke, was attempting to bring him to safety. Federal investigators never concluded exactly what occurred. Partially parlalyzed after the incident, Horn was no longer able to perform in the Siegfried & Roy Show, forcing it to be canceled.

"I will forever believe it was his concern for my safety and well-being that caused him to act as he did on that night long ago," Horn said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "We spent many hours together and he never failed to bring me great joy and wonderment. It was my great honor to be beside him at the end."

Although no longer up on the Vegas stage, both Horn and Fischbacher continue to house exotic animals at their Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat in the Nevada city. Currently, the habitat houses 11 white tigers and two white lions.

– Chelsea Regan