The oldest resident of the Isle of Wight Zoo, Zia the Tiger, has sadly passed away at the age of 22.
Zia was hand raised at the Sandown-based attraction following rejection by her mother at Longleat Safari Park in the mid-1990s.
The news comes just a month after the passing off Tequila the Jaguar and marks the 4th death at the zoo in the past 14 months.
Paying tribute to the much-loved animal, a spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Zoo said:
“There are no words to communicate our devastation in announcing the passing of our darling Zia.
“Long may the legacy she has created live on in every big cat who we give a forever home to now and in the future.
“She eclipsed the brightest star, RIP Zia”.
The circumstances of Zia’s death have not been revealed.
