Putin's Tiger Goes Rogue, Attacks Chinese Chickens

A Siberian tiger released into the wild by Russian President Vladimir Putin has attacked a henhouse in northeastern China, raising concerns that farmers may now have to hunt it down, according to Chinese media reports quoted by the AP.

The official Xinhua news agency says the animal, known as Kuzya, was believed to have eaten five chickens in a raid on a farm in Luobei county, Heilongjiang province, over recent days.

Earlier this week, Russian officials tracking the tiger to try and capture it had reported that the animal had defected to China. It had been released into the wild from remote Siberia under the president’s watchful eye in May, notes The Independent.

Putin’s love of animals is well known. The Washington Post writes that this fact about the macho former KGB agent beguiles political scientists — though they realize animals are great for photo opportunities. From dolphins to polar bears and horses to puppies (and everything in between) the president is never shy of sharing media attention with the animal kingdom.

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Photo: Russian Prime Minister’s Office

It is estimated that there are only 400-500 Siberian tigers left in the wild, and efforts to save them from extinction are ongoing.

Main photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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