COLCHESTER Zoo has announced that one of its tigers, 19-year-old Anoushka, has died.

Affectionately known as Nush, the Amur tiger has been part of Colchester Zoo since 2005, having been born at Linton Zoo in Cambridge one year prior.

Zookeepers at Colchester Zoo have said they Anoushka’s death has left “a huge hole in our hearts”, but they added they would cherish the memories they shared together.

Nush had become a firm favourite with zoo visitors.

But the Amur tiger’s health deteriorated in recent days owing to her age, with vets noticing skeletal changes linked to spinal arthritis, decreasing coat condition, and weakening eyesight and hearing.

In the last few days, her condition deteriorated, and the decision was made to put her to sleep in the interest of her welfare.

At 19, Anoushka lived longer than most Amur tigers, whose average age is 15.

Gazette: Colchester Zoo tiger Anoushka Colchester Zoo tiger Anoushka (Image: Nina Day)

Colchester Zoo’s head keeper, Ang Matthews, said Anoushka’s ‘princess-like behaviour’ would be missed.

She said: “Anoushka was renowned for her princess-like behaviour, avoiding water where she could and dramatically shaking her feet if she got wet.

“She was always pristine in appearance and liked to be independent, doing her own thing.

"Anoushka was particularly responsive to her training, such as target training, stepping onto the weigh scales and always liked interacting with her keepers, seeing what they were up to.

"The tigers all enjoy scent enrichment, Anoushka particularly liked fruity perfumes and her preferred scent was always ‘Tommy Girl’, so this will always remind me of her.”

Gazette: Colchester Zoo tiger Anoushka Colchester Zoo tiger Anoushka (Image: Nina Day)

Colchester Zoo’s veterinarian, Elliott Simpson-Brown added:  “It has been a pleasure working so closely alongside the Animal Care Team and to have had the privilege to have known Anoushka.

"The decision to put her to sleep was incredibly difficult, but the right decision for Anoushka at this time. After so many amazing years at Colchester Zoo, it is the last and kindest decision to make for her given her recent deterioration.”

Anoushka was born at Linton Zoo in July 2004, and arrived at Colchester Zoo just short of her first birthday with her brothers, Uri and Czar.

Anoushka’s brothers moved on to other zoos in July 2006 but this was the year she met her partner of 14 years, Igor, who arrived in the November.

Sadly, Igor passed away in August 2021, but the pair were inseparable, despite tigers usually preferring a solitary life, they truly were best friends.

Anoushka’s passing now leaves two Amur tigers at Colchester Zoo, Taiga and her daughter Tatana who was born at the zoo in June 2019.

A statement from Colchester Zoo added: "It is hoped that there will be further opportunities in the future to breed this endangered big cat at Colchester Zoo but for now, Taiga and Tatana will live separately due to them preferring solitary lives.

“It’s always difficult when an animal passes away, especially one with a big personality that has been at the zoo for so many years – they truly are one of the family.”