A critically endangered Sumatran tiger at a notorious Indonesian zoo where hundreds of animals have died in recent years is emaciated and on the brink of death, an official said on Wednesday.

Melani, a 15-year-old female, has been suffering from a serious digestive disorder for the past five years due to a diet of tainted chicken which has pushed her weight down from 80 kilograms to 60 kilograms.

Many other animals have died due to neglect and management in-fighting in recent years at Surabaya Zoo. Those still alive languish in cramped, dirty cages and suffer from illnesses including pneumonia and diarrhea.

Fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers are left in the wild, conservationists say. [Photo/Chinanews.com]