Dudley Zoo's oldest cat dies aged 22
Dudley Zoo's oldest wildcat - 22-year-old Bart - has died following a deterioration of his health.
The Geoffroy's cat, a wildcat native to South America, was put to sleep by keepers following consultation with the zoo's veterinary team.
The decision was made after the animal's health took a turn for the worse and deteriorated in recent days. He was put to sleep yesterday morning. (MON)
Bosses at Dudley Zoo said the captive wildcat, which has called Dudley Zoo home since the late 80s, will be 'sadly' missed. The feline had outlived the typical life expectancy for wildcats.
Bart was Dudley Zoo's oldest cat.
Curator Richard Brown, said: "Bart had surpassed the life expectancy of a captive wild cat by more than two years and he was even the oldest one of his species in Europe but he was showing his old age, so the decision was the kindest thing for him.
"He's been here at Dudley Zoo Gardens for 17 years, so he'll be missed as he was quite a character."
Geoffroy's cats are the size of a domestic cat and are found in the southern and central regions of South America.
The life expectancy of the species in the wild is approximately up to 18 years.
Unlike some wild animals in South America and across the world, the species is widespread and abundant, and so is not considered threatened by international conservation groups such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
