Paignton Zoo confirms deaths of two mountain zebras
22 year old Taru and 11 year old Leila have been put to sleep
Paignton Zoo's confirmed its two female mountain zebras have had to be put down.
Taru was 22 and had cancer, whilst Leila was 11 and living with a rare blood clotting condition.
Vets caring for them made what's been described as 'a very difficult decision'.
In a statement, the zoo's given more details about the conditions of the zebras:
"Taru had been living with cancer for a number of years that had recently stopped responding to treatment. Leila had been managing a rare blood clotting condition that, despite our veterinary team’s best efforts, was beginning to impact her quality of life.
"After exhausting all reasonable treatment options for both animals, our veterinary assessment indicated that humane euthanasia was the kindest option."
Taru was born at Paignton in 2022, while Leila came to the zoo in 2019, having arrived from a safari park in the Czech Republic.
The pair had become 'inseparable companions' and were 'much-loved by visitors'.
The zoo's thanked the community for their support too:
"We thank all of you for your understanding and support during this difficult time. The animal care team who worked closely with Taru and Leila are particularly affected by this loss, and we appreciate your kind thoughts for them as well."