- Tiger asleep at the zoo
The 17-year-old tiger Igor from the Landau Zoo in the Palatinate has been euthanized. Health issues and a deterioration in the condition of the Siberian tiger were the reasons given by the Landau Zoo. The decision, made last Tuesday, was aimed at preventing "significant suffering and pain." Igor was one of the 13 oldest male Siberian tigers worldwide, according to the zoo's statement.
"The death of such a dominant character is very sad, especially for the daily caretakers," the zoo said. Igor will be remembered as the first Siberian tiger male in the Landau Zoo due to his impressive appearance. Born in 2007 at the Austrian Zoo Schmiding, along with his sister Ninoshka, who still lives in the Landau Zoo, Igor has been kept there since January 2010.
The zoo plans to keep a young, similarly aged tiger pair in the future. However, Ninoshka will not be given a new mate, as the risks are too high when introducing two new animals together. The sibling pair was not used for breeding, despite Siberian tigers being highly endangered in the wild, as they are already well-represented genetically in zoos.
The zoo is currently seeking a young, similarly aged tiger pair, but Ninoshka will not be given a new mate due to the high risks involved. The absence of a new mate for Ninoshka leaves the role of Igor as the only other Siberian tiger male in the Landau Zoo.
