Police on the prowl for Bengal tiger pelt missing from Victoria hotel

The iconic Bengal tiger pelt that has been part of the history of the Bengal Lounge at the Fairmont Empress for decades has gone missing.

The Fairmont Empress told Global News it was brought to their attention that the Bengal tiger pelt has gone missing from the wall in the former Bengal Lounge at approximately 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

The 60-year-old Lounge, which was shut down in April amidst hotel renovations, had a large working fireplace above which the iconic tiger skin was originally hung. The pelt was a gift from the King of Siam when he visited the hotel in the late 1940s.

The hotel says they informed local authorities about the theft immediately and a report has been filed. Police say the tiger pelt was removed from the wall between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14.

Security footage of the area has been reviewed and provided to authorities as part of the ongoing investigation.

“The Fairmont Empress is extremely disheartened to see this significant piece of our hotel history disappear,” said the hotel in a statement.

“Hung above the fireplace in the Bengal room, the Bengal tiger pelt was part of the Indian theme adopted by the restaurant during Operation Teacup in 1970. The iconic pelt was an important piece of history for guests, and is an integral part of the décor for the newly reinvented and restored Bengal social space.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The Fairmont Empress is extremely disheartened to see this significant piece of our hotel history disappear," said the hotel in a statement.</p><p>"Hung above the fireplace in the Bengal room, the Bengal tiger pelt was part of the Indian theme adopted by the restaurant during Operation Teacup in 1970. The iconic pelt was an important piece of history for guests, and is an integral part of the décor for the newly reinvented and restored Bengal social space."

The hotel also says it’s not the first time the tiger pelt has mysteriously disappeared.

The pelt went missing as part of a prank several decades ago, turning up in an unusual location before finally being returned to the Empress.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the pelt is asked to contact the Victoria Police non-emergency line at 250-995-7654 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

WATCH: A campaign has been launched to save Victoria’s historic Bengal Lounge in the Empress Hotel. As Kylie Stanton reports, the new owner says change is needed in order for the hotel to remain internationally competitive. ***Originally aired on January 14***

2:16 Petition created to save Victoria’s Bengal Lounge

-With files from the Canadian Press