Banham Zoo heartbreak as rare Amur tiger Sveta dies aged 11

A much-loved Amur tiger has died at the age of 11, to the heartbreak of keepers at Banham Zoo.

Sveta died yesterday (Wednesday, June 24) during a routine contraceptive implant operation and while under anesthetic.

Following a post mortem it is thought that the cause of her death may have been due to a heart defect.

Gary Batters, joint managing director, Zoological Society of East Anglia, said: “Sveta was a beautiful and much loved part of our zoo community and her sudden death is heartbreaking for the keepers who’ve worked tirelessly during Covid-19 to care for all our animals.

"She will be greatly missed.”

Amur tigers are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting and it is thought there are currently around 250 adults in the wild.

The breed typically lives ten to 14 years, although in captivity, this can be as many as 20.

Sveta gave birth to two cubs in 2013 which were fathered by her Amur tiger mate Kuzma.

Kuzma has been on loan at Knowsley Safari Park near Liverpool since August 2019 but is due to return to Banham next week.