Police probe theft of tiger skin from historic Victoria watering hole

Victoria Police are on the hunt for a tiger skin stolen off the wall of one of the city's historic watering holes.

Police say the tiger pelt that was a traditional fixture at the former Bengal Lounge at Victoria's Fairmont Empress Hotel was stolen this week.

Investigators say in a news release they believe the tiger skin was taken last Tuesday sometime between 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Police say the tiger skin has hung in the lounge, now called the Bengal Room, since the 1990s.

Police released a photo that shows an empty wall with only a faded outline of where the skin had been mounted.

The Fairmont Empress announced earlier this year the former Bengal Lounge would undergo renovations and reopen as a more modern establishment, but removal of the tiger skin was not planned.

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.