Senile tiger Sasha put down at park

A RARE Amur tiger has been humanely destroyed at the Highland Wildlife Park aged 16.

Sasha was put down on Tuesday after park keepers noticed signs of ill-health and senility. Her condition made her unable to compete for food with three-year-old daughters, Natalia and Dominika.

The park’s Facebook page announced: “Amur tigers in the wild seldom make it past 12. It became clear over recent weeks that Sasha’s health was starting to deteriorate.

“Sadly, changes in the social hierarchy of our Amur group and recent observations indicated probable senility issues. After consultation, it was decided to put her to sleep.”

Sasha arrived at the park, in Kingussie, along with mate Yuri from Edinburgh Zoo on 25 September, 2008.

Yuri was put down in 2010, aged 17.