Zoo in Dvůr Králové nad Labem forced to put down Siberian tiger

Officials at a Czech zoo in Dvůr Králové nad Labem have revealed they had no choice but to put down a valuable Siberian tiger this week due to rapidly worsening health. The tiger, named Semjon, was born in a zoo in Munich, Germany in 1992 and transferred to the Czech Republic in 1995. He had suffered a long-term kidney disease which was no longer treatable. The zoo retains one more specimen of the big cat, an 11-year-old female. Zoo officials have said they would be searching for a mate for the animal, to try and breed new specimens in captivity.