Panther euthanized at Florida zoo

A 17-year-old panther was euthanized at a Florida zoo because of serious health problems, officials said. "Colin Patrick" was born at the zoo on St. Patrick's Day in 1995 at the Palm Beach Zoo, where he lived until he was euthanized Thursday, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported. Zoo officials said the panther had recently been diagnosed with a tumor that was compressing his spine and left him unable to walk. The zoo's clinical veterinarian said Colin's condition would only worsen and there were no effective long-term treatments available. Colin was the offspring of a cougar from Texas and a Florida panther, zoo officials said, adding he was a favorite of zoo-goers. "Very few animals in the history of the Palm Beach Zoo have touched the lives of as many guests and staff as Colin," Keith Lovett, assistant zoo director, said in a statement.