Colchester Zoo has announced the cubs born to Annousha, the Amur tiger, have died.

A spokesman for the zoo revealed earlier this week that noises had been heard from the tigers' den, but when keepers went in on Tuesday morning they were no longer there.

The zoo said they could not be sure how many cubs had been born or what had happened to them, although one likely cause was that they had been eaten by their mother.

Cameras had been put up in the den to monitor Annousha's progress but had been ripped down a few days ago by the tiger.

  • The zoo also reported there was no news about Zola the elephant's offspring, and although she is now long overdue they were still hopeful the baby would be all right.