The Big Cat Sanctuary has reported the death of its only linx and eldest resident.

Petra had been one of the Smarden sanctuary’s star attractions for the past 14 years, but she had to be put to sleep after suffering a series of seizures brought on by old age.

Petra died aged 21, the equivalent of 100 in human years.

The Eurasian lynx ended up at the sanctuary after a previous life as an animal actor.

A spokesman for the park said: “It’s very difficult to think of the sanctuary without Petra, she has been part of our family for so long.

“She has been the most incredible, beautiful, and completely charming example of how a lynx can be and we consider ourselves totally privileged to have had her call the sanctuary her home.”

Petra had been tame enough for her keepers to enter her cage with her.

She had been deaf for some years.

The sanctuary still has 40 other big cats of 11 different species including lions, tigers and leopards.