Putin was considered “one of the most genetically valuable Amur tigers” in a North American breeding program.
Highlights
- The 12-year-old male Amur tiger experienced cardiac failure, Minnesota Zoo says.
- He was born in the Czech Republic in 2009, where he was given the name “Putin” He was brought to the Minnesota Zoo as a recommendation of the Amur Tiger Global Species Management Plan.
- Putin was considered “one of the most genetically valuable Amur tigers” in a North American breeding program, the zoo says.
- His genetically important legacy lives on as he has sired multiple cubs, including one born in 2017 at the zoo, it says.
- There are approximately 103 of these tigers in accredited zoos, the statement says.