Staff at an animal park have been left "heartbroken" by the death of a well-loved lion.

Manzi, who was lately leader of the Big Cat Sanctuary's white lion pride, lived at the site in Smarden, near Ashford, for 15 years.

Concerns grew for the powerful male in recent months, as he began to eat less and less and keepers struggled to keep his weight up.

Manzi was taken for medical help, and vet Dr John Lewis found a large lump in his abdomen - which he diagnosed as a lymphoma that had greatly enlarged the lion's spleen.

It was decided operating was neither safe nor in the best interest of the big cat, and he sadly died earlier this week.

In a statement staff at BCS wrote: "It was decided to keep him comfortable for as long as we were able and when we could no longer do this it would be time to say goodbye.

"A big lion with an even bigger personality, Manzi will leave a huge void for a long time to come for anyone who knew him, but it is always important not to be selfish and sadly Manzi could never be with us forever."

Manzi arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary with his two brothers Tiny and Kafara in 2005.

They had been hand-reared, after being born on a sister site to a female who stopped producing milk.

For many years, they were the only lions at the Ashford sanctuary.

BCS wrote: "The powerful image of these three boys side-by-side is the image that started the journey for many of our longest-standing team members.

"Manzi was always the most affectionate of the three to the keepers who cared for him. Manzi would often come over for a head rub with the humans he spent his life with."

As they matured, tensions began to build between the brothers, and Manzi was placed in a neighbouring enclosure.

But his bond with his keepers grew stronger.

"His face, the most exquisitely expressive face, would light up with excitement when someone came to see him - more so if they were bringing him food," the post continues.

In 2017, Manzi joined BCS's six white lionesses as their new pride leader.

"This is not a job for just any lion," wrote park staff. "Six feisty females are by no means a pushover.

"Manzi decided to make his presence known in no uncertain terms. He bellowed his incredible roar throughout the entire lion house.

"Manzi had moved in, and was going to let his new neighbours know who was in charge."

He was a big hit with the new pride of females, but maintained a close relationship with keepers.

"Keepers had a sad feeling that he, with his new family to keep him company, may no longer feel the need to greet them every morning," said BCS. "But they needn’t have worried.

"Every day, true to his loving form, Manzi would still yawn and stretch and come away from his six girls to greet the keeper for a head scratch and lots of loving praise. Pure bliss for both involved.

"He will be so missed. Goodnight big man!"

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