Mantecore—Tiger that Injured Roy of Siegfried & Roy Spectacle @TheMirageLV—has died.

Mantecore, the white tiger who appeared in thousands of performances with Siegfried & Roy during the duo's historic run at The Mirage, passed away after a short illness on March 19. He was 17.

"The world has lost one of its most majestic creatures and I have lost a brother," said Roy. "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. 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. He is now playing with his siblings in White Tiger heaven."

It was October 3, 2003, during a show at the Mirage, when Roy was bitten on the neck by 7–year old tiger Mantecore. Crew members separated Horn from the tiger and rushed him to the trauma center at University Medical Center. Horn was critically injured and sustained severe blood loss. While being taken to the hospital, Horn said, "Mantecore is a great cat. Make sure no harm comes to Montecore."

Roy added: "His contribution to the avalanche of awareness for conservation and preservation has made him unforgettable. His spirit will live forever with Siegfried & Roy and his multitude of fans."

The injury to Horn prompted the Mirage to close the show, and 267 cast and crew members were laid off.

On April 23, 2010, Siegfried & Roy retired from show business. "The last time we closed, we didn’t have a lot of warning," said longtime manager Bernie Yuman. "This is farewell. This is the dot at the end of the sentence."