Phevos, a 17-year-old tiger, rescued after being neglected from a Greek zoo and sent to a California wildlife sanctuary has died after a decline in health. He was euthanized as it was difficult for veterinarians to manage his pain, administer medication or to feed him, according to a statement from the Lions, Tighers & Bears sanctuary in Alpine, California, near San Diago.

The group looking after the lion states that years of neglect and abuse had caused the tiger’s health to spiral out of control despite the fact that he had shown signs of improvement earlier in the summer. “He fought a long and hard battle in his lifetime and had been through so much,” said Bobbi Brink, founder and director of the sanctuary where Phevos spent his final months.

The young tiger had spent his early years with an Italian touring circus before being seized by Greek authorities in 2002. Phevos, and his mate, Athena, were sent to Trikala Zoo, near Athens. Athena died in March 2014 of medical neglect as a wound in her paw went untreated for more than a year.

Phevos’ 20-hour trip to the United States was financed by an activist, David Barnes, from the United Kingdom in December. The same activist had been responsible for rescuing the tiger from the circus. Unfortunately, the gentle giant was unable to pull through despite enjoying his last few months “sunning himself in the cool grass, lounging in the shallows of his pool and taking naps in beds of hay.”

A memorial service is being held for the tiger on Saturday, October 3, at the sanctuary.

Before the move: