Keepers mourn after tough decision to euthanise tiger

Wild animal park staff and visitors are mourning the loss of a much-loved tiger put down due to ill health.

A vet and keepers at Howletts together took the difficult decision to euthanise 12-year-old Indah, who had been suffering with advanced osteoarthritis.

She was being treated by vets and a leading orthopaedic surgeon but in recent weeks was suffering increasing pain which could not be controlled.

Writing on its Facebook page, a park spokesman said: “Following numerous evaluations and discussions, our animal director, vet team and keepers made the difficult decision to euthanise Indah. This was the most necessary and humane course of action.

“Indah was a very special animal, born in 2005 at Dudley Zoo. She arrived at Howletts Wild Animal Park as part of a breeding programme in 2006.

“She had a lovely character and was a favourite with visitors and staff alike. She had a very special bond with Amir, our male Sumatran tiger.

“The pair would always enjoy a good head rub in the morning and they enjoyed nothing more than sitting out on the high platform in their enclosure, soaking up the sunshine.

“We are sure that our visitors and supporters will be as saddened by this news as we are.”

News of Indah’s death was met with sadness from animal park supporters on Facebook.

Among them was Paul Wiggin, who posted: “She was such a stunning girl with a wonderful character. So sad that she has been taken from us so prematurely. You will always be missed beautiful girl.”

A tiger typically lives for between 10 and 15 years in the wild and 16 and 20 in captivity.

Tigress Indah has had to be put down at Howletts Wild Animal Park