'Pet' Amur tiger found in Russian Urals

YEKATERINBURG. November 10. KAZINFORM A woman in the Russian Urals city of Yekaterinburg is being investigated for illegally keeping an Amur tiger, one of Russia's most endangered species, local police said; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

The owner of the big cat was keeping her unusual pet in a 4x4 meter outdoor cage. The police report said she had no license and was neglecting veterinary and hygiene requirements for keeping the animal.

Although there are only 450 Amur tigers left in the wild in Russia, the woman only faces a fine of 2,500 rubles ($80).

Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are classed as endangered by the World Conservation Union. Since 2006, poachers have killed at least 10 of the rare animals in Russia's Far East.

The tiger population has declined from 100,000 to just over 3,000 individuals over the past century. Poaching for fur and destruction of habitat have been major causes of their extinction; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.