Zoo mourns loss of white tiger

WASHINGTON -- The National Zoo's only white tiger was euthanized Wednesday.

Zoo officials said 18-year-old Taj had been treated for osteoarthritis for several years and recently was having trouble walking. He was in such pain this week it was decided to euthanize him.

Taj was born at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Neb., in 1984 and was brought to Washington two years later. He never had any offspring.

The National Zoo said that since white tigers are not part of any conservation program, it has no plans to breed or exhibit them.